Montgomerie and Gallacher lead tributes to Matt Lygate

Colin Montgomerie and Stephen Gallacher have led tributes to former Scottish international, national selector and men’s team captain Matt Lygate.

The Ayrshire legend passed away in his sleep earlier this week, just days after he’d attended the Ayrshire County Dinner at Prestwick St Cuthbert Golf Club.

“I will always remember Matt Lygate with great fondness,” Montgomerie told The Scotsman .“Asa Troon man, to play under him in my first Home Internationals for Scotland at Royal Troon in 1984 was a great thrill.

“Matt did immense voluntary work to promote Scottish amateur golf and will be sadly missed. My thoughts are with Matt’s family and Mary, his wife, at this difficult time.”

Gallacher also played in teams captained by Lygate and was part of a squad he led to San Roque in Spain for some winter coaching.

He said: “I was sad to hear of Matt’s passing. He was a great man and very friendly with Bob Torrance, my coach. Matt was a good golfer himself and was always on hand to help the youngsters out. He liked a laugh as well.”

Former Scottish Boys champion Alan Tait also paid tribute to Lygate, having mentioned him in his speech at the Ayrshire dinner. “I feel very lucky to have seen him on Friday for first time in about 20 years. He was in great form as well. Very sad,” he said.

Alan Reid, another former Scottish Boys’ winner, added: “Matt did a massive amount for Ayrshire and Scottish golf back in the 80s and 90s. He also helped me get the opportunity to work with Bob Torrance, enough said. Thank you Matt.”

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