Big one 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
not have all the gear, but no bother.
“These municipals are very important for the development of golf.
“Obviously, they are run by councils who, looking at budget cuts, maybe see them as real estate which they can make money on.
“But you are taking away a place to keep fit and that idea of massive participation.
“Don’t forget too that St Andrews is a municipal and there are loads of them near to Royal Troon. They are vital.”
This year marks the 10th anniversary since Stevie made the first of his two Masters outings, as he went on to finish in a tie for 34th.
Defending his Dubai Desert Classic title that year got him into the world’s top 50 and secured his spot in the season’s first Major.
And he admits that his immediate impression of Augusta went far beyond anything he could have imagined.
“The experience started about four months before when I received my letter through my post with my invite,” Gallacher reminisced.
“There was the realisation that I was going to Augusta.
“To make it there is a reward because the field is more limited. It is proof that you have done well.
“Plus you think that my uncle Bernard only played once in The Masters, whereas he played in eight Ryder Cups. That shows how difficult it is to get in.
“Often if you listen to the hype of something, you get disappointed. When you arrive at Augusta, it is even better than you imagine.
“It looks perfect on the TV. And it is.
“I had a great start and I was on the leaderboard after 27 holes. Then the wind picked up around Amen Corner. You chuck a couple of double bogeys in and it’s like: ‘This is Augusta’.
“You have to be so precise because as we have seen this week when the wind picks up, it’s easy to run up eights, nines, 10s around there.”