Gallacher guiding hand to help Scotland’s leading amateurs

Ryder Cup winner Stephen Gallacher is to lend his expertise to Scottish Golf in a new performance role as the national men’s team eye an historic European hat-trick.

Press and Journal columnist Gallacher, a three-time champion on the European Tour and a member of Europe’s winning Ryder Cup team at Gleneagles in 2014, has joined Scottish Golf’s performance committee as he seeks to help guide the nation’s leading amateurs with valuable support and advice.

The 42-year-old, who enjoyed a decorated amateur career including winning the Scottish and European Amateur, has joined Catriona Matthew, the nation’s most successful female golfer, on the committee, as Scottish Golf continues to look to tap into the knowledge and insight of two of the country’s most experienced professionals.

Dean Robertson, high performance golf coach at the University of Stirling, also sits on the committee.

Gallacher, who runs his own successful junior foundation, said: “I look forward to helping Scottish Golf in this performance role, fitting in alongside my full-time golf commitments.”

Scotland’s men’s side will seek to deliver more success in Austria next month when they tee-up chasing a hat-trick of European amateur team titles for the first time.

Oban’s Robert MacIntyre is part of Ian Rae’s side, and one of three members who triumphed in France last year along with Drumoig’s Connor Syme and Craig Howie, from Peebles. Duff House Royal’s Callum Bruce and Inverallochy’s Marc Watt are part of the squad for the European boys’ team championship at La Manga in Spain.

SCOTLAND SQUAD – Craig Howie (Peebles), Liam Johnston (Dumfries and County), Ryan Lumsden (Royal Wimbledon), Robert MacIntyre (Glencruitten), Jamie Stewart (Old Ranfurly), Connor Syme (Drumoig).

SCOTLAND BOYS’ SQUAD – Callum Bruce (Duff House Royal), Darren Howie (Peebles), Lewis Irvine (Kirkhill), Eric McIntosh (Bruntsfield Links), John Paterson (New, St Andrews), Marc Watt (Inverallochy).

Stephen Gallacher: Performance role