Paul McKechnie pleads for winter series support

The Braid Hills Golf centre professional was speaking after beating just 15 rivals to win the fourth event in the CT Sports Academy Pro Winter Series.

“These events are a great opportunity to stay sharp  during the off-season,” said McKechnie, a former PGA EuroPro Tour No 1.

“They are also perfect for  trying out any swing changes that you may be working on in a competitive environment. Guys need to get behind the series and support these events as the turnout today was embarrassing.”

That certainly wasn’t the case for McKechnie’s winning score as a one-under-par 70 in  challenging conditions on the Ayrshire coast was a praiseworthy effort.

He finished two shots ahead of Pollok professional James  Hendrick and St Andrews  amateur Ben Kinsley.

Joint fifth on this occasion, former Scottish Amateur champion Michael Stewart had come out on top the previous day in an event on the Big Johnson’s Tour at The Renaissance Club.

The Troon Welbeck man also triumphed on one under par, beating Scott Henry by a single shot after the Challenge Tour player finished with a double-bogey.

The entry for that event was also below what had been hoped for, according to John Henry. “Unfortunately, only 11 players made it, which is disappointing when I had over 20  names down a week prior to the event,” he said.