Bernard Gallacher making good recovery

Former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher is continuing to make a good recovery after suffering a cardiac arrest at a corporate event in Aberdeen in August.

The 64-year-old spent seven days in intensive care in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary after collapsing prior to delivering an after-dinner speech at the city’s Marcliffe Hotel. His heart had to be restarted three times by nurses who happened to be in the hotel after he ‘died’ and he subsequently spent over two weeks in hospital.

However, he is now well on the road to recovery and is even spearheading a campaign to have more defibrillators installed at UK golf clubs.

A spokesperson for the Scot said: “The availability of a defibrillator was central in giving Bernard Gallacher a chance of survival and along with his wife Lesley and the support of the PGA and European Tour, he will be championing a campaign to make defibrillators widely accessible at golf courses around the UK.”

“The support and well-wishes received throughout Bernard Gallacher’s time in hospital and since returning home have been incredible.”

The statement from Bernard Gallacher’s management added added: “Whilst undertaking an engagement for a corporate client in Aberdeen, Bernard was taken ill and spent 15 days under the excellent care of medical staff in Aberdeen, seven days of which were in intensive care. Bernard went into cardiac arrest (commonly known as ‘Sudden Death Syndrome’) on three occasions following irregular heart activity in the days preceding the incident. Thanks to the composed and quick thinking of staff and guests at the engagement, as well as quick access to a defibrillator, Bernard is now on his way to making a full recovery with no long-term effects expected.

“The support and well-wishes received throughout Bernard’s time in hospital and since returning home have been incredible, and Bernard would like to pass his sincere thanks to his sponsors and supporters for their kind words, thoughts and prayers.”

Bernard Gallacher: A Ryder Cup legend

After turning professional in 1967, Bernard Gallacher became the then youngest player ever to represent Great Britain in the Ryder Cup when, at the age of 20, he played in the 1969 match. He went on to play on eight teams in all before captaining the European side in 1991, 1993 and 1995, the latter finally delivering him the long overdue victory his achievements in the contest more than merited.

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