GALLACHER FOUNDATION BACKING SCOTTISH U18s STROKE PLAY

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE SGU 

By ED HODGE, Press and Media Executive

Fresh from finishing as the joiny leading Scot in The Open Championship at Muirfield, Stephen Gallacher’s support of junior golf continues this week with his Foundation backing the Scottish Boys’ Stroke Play Championship for a second year.

Gallacher claimed a tie for 21st in his sixth Open appearance, helping him also move to top Scot in the current Race to Dubai rankings in 19th place. 

The 38-year-old is now preparing for two events in America in the coming weeks – the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational and the US PGA Championship – but his focus this week is on The Stephen Gallacher Foundation Scottish Boys Stroke Play Championship, being held at The Roxburghe from tomorrow until Thursday.

Regarded as Scotland's premier stroke play event for Under-18 golfers, an international 143-strong field has gathered at the renowned venue in the Scottish Borders, including players from England, Germany, France, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, South Africa and China.

Gallacher, who launched his Foundation in March 2012 after being spurred on by the success of Paul Lawrie’s work in his native North-east, has happy memories of the Boys Stroke Play having lifted the trophy back-to-back in 1991 and 1992. 

This year’s winner of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, his second victory on The European Tour, said: “It’s a championship which I always remember fondly, given my two wins at Crieff and Monifieth, and that is one reason why I was keen to sponsor this event. We hope it’s another fantastic week at The Roxburghe.”

“We are delighted as a Foundation to be supporting such a prestigious event in the Scottish Boys calendar yet again,” added Scott Knowles, manager of the Stephen Gallacher Foundation. 

“We have a great relationship with the Scottish Golf Union and look forward to working closely with them for many years to come. This event is close to Stephen's heart, being a previous winner, and I’m sure The Roxburghe will produce yet another high calibre winner.”

Linlithgow-based player Gallacher, who works closely with the national junior programme ClubGolf,  enjoyed a stellar amateur career, including Walker Cup success in 1995. 

Now world-ranked 71st, he remains a role model for young Scots golfers to look up to.

Reflecting on his Open experience, he said: “Other than a couple of loose shots, I had a great week at Muirfield and it was nice to finish well with a 69. It’s a good time to try to peak and keep playing well as there are further big tournaments ahead for me.” 

After the close of entries, the 2013 Stephen Gallacher Foundation Scottish Boys Stroke Play Championship balloted at a handicap of 3.5, with a talented field seeking to also join the likes of Scott Jamieson, Lloyd Saltman, Scott Henry and James Byrne, now all competing in the pro ranks, on the winners’ list.

Twelve months ago, Dumfries and County’s Greig Marchbank savoured a late 18th birthday present by storming to a four-shot victory over Ewen Ferguson (Bearsden) at Cardross.

Ferguson, the current leader of the Scottish Hydro Boys’ Order of Merit, will look to go one better at The Roxburghe, with Ferguson’s fellow Boys’ internationalists Robert MacIntyre, the Golf Data Lab Scottish Youths champion, and Tantallon’s Calum Hill also keen to figure. 

The championship comprises 72 holes of stroke play. Eighteen holes are played on each of the first two days, with the 40 competitors returning the lowest scores over the first 36 holes and those tying for 40th place playing the final 36 holes.

 Click here for the draw for The Stephen Gallacher Foundation Scottish Boys Stroke Play Championship