Bernard Gallacher to receive major award

Bernard Gallacher is to be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award at the 2014 Scottish Golf Awards.

The 64-year-old, who is making a fantastic recovery after suffering a cardiac arrest during a public engagement in Aberdeen in August, will be presented with the award at the star-studded bash at the Hilton Glasgow on February 28.

The prestigious do will kick-start what is sure to be a memorable year for golf in its birth country, with the Ryder Cup set to take place at Gleneagles later in the year.

For that reason, it is appropriate that Bernard Gallacher should be the latest recipient of the Lifetime Achievement award.

Eight times a player in the biennial event, Gallacher also captained the European Ryder Cup team on three occasions. He was involved with every team that took on the USA from 1969 to 1995, either as a player, an assistant, or a captain.

“I’m delighted to be accepting a Scottish Golf Lifetime Achievement award ahead of such a special year for golf in the country.” – Bernard Gallacher

He follows fellow Ryder Cup captains Colin Montgomerie and Sam Torrance, as well as major winners Sandy Lyle and Paul Lawrie, in receiving the gong.

“I’m delighted to be accepting a Scottish Golf Lifetime Achievement award ahead of such a special year for golf in the country,” said Bernard Gallacher, who gave his only UK magazine interview to bunkered in the wake of his recent health scare. “It’s an honour to follow the greatest names in Scottish golf who have received this award in the past. It promises to be a wonderful evening in Glasgow, one I’m thoroughly looking forward to.

“I enjoyed my playing career, as an amateur and a professional, but it’s probably my contribution to the Ryder Cup that I’m best remembered for. It was a privilege to captain three teams and winning in America at Oak Hill was really the icing on the cake for me.

“I played in the first Ryder Cup in Scotland in 1973 at Muirfield and, like all golf fans, I’m looking forward to it coming back for what will be a fantastic contest.”

Celebrate with Bernard Gallacher

The 2014 Scottish Golf Awards, where Bernard Gallacher will receive his Lifetime Achievement award, will be hosted by Dougie Donnelly, with tickets on-sale now. For more information, call the ticket hotline on 01334 466477 or visit www.scottishgolfawards.org

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor