Masters is the perfect incentive for us all to get the clubs out and play

It is the final round of The Masters and it is golf’s big night of the year.

All golf fans clear the decks and make sure they are in front of the TV screen to watch events unfold around the back nine at Augusta.

For Stephen Gallacher, it brings back memories of watching at home with his family and seeing victories for the likes of Sandy Lyle and Sir Nick Faldo.

And he recognises that a good last round can be the catalyst to get people on golf courses all over Scotland.

“The start of the season is always after Augusta,” he told The Sunday Post.

“It’s just a shame that The Masters is not on terrestrial television so more people can watch.

“It gets the juices flowing to get the clubs out.

“It’s normally around the Easter holidays so the kids are off school and can go and play.

“While the clocks have gone forward so you can go out and play for a couple of hours after your dinner.

“We need a good Augusta. We want Tiger Woods playing well and seeing LIV guys like Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka.

“Watching them against Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler is crucial because it gets the knock-on effect in terms of participation.”

Gallacher’s Foundation for juniors once again has a packed summer schedule with events at courses like Blairgowrie, Dundonald Links and the Roxburghe.

He knows that children can be inspired to pick up a club by watching the star golfers on the TV.

But he is equally concerned about the threat to some of Scotland’s municipal courses as local councils come under financial pressures.

“Scotland should have pride in pay-to-play golf,” he said. “You don’t have to be a member and you might