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Tour pro sponsors Boys Strokeplay to strengthen support for grass roots golf 

Reinvesting: Stephen Gallacher’s Foundation will sponsor the Scottish Boys Strokeplay Championship

One of Scotland’s leading tour pros, Stephen Gallacher, has furthered his support for the country’s junior golfers by sponsoring the Scottish Boys Strokeplay Championship – a tournament he won twice as an amateur. 

Regarded as Scotland’s premier strokeplay event for U18 golfers, The Stephen Gallacher Foundation Scottish Boys Strokeplay Championship will take place from July 24-26 when a 144-strong international field gathers at Cardross Golf Club, near Dumbarton.

Gallacher is the latest of the nation’s top professionals to reinvest in the game in Scotland at various levels.

The 37-year-old launched his Foundation in March after being spurred on by the success of friend and countryman Paul Lawrie’s Foundation in his native North-East

He now also follows in the footsteps of Lawrie, whose Foundation backed the Scottish Boys Championship in April, by backing a top Scottish junior event.

The 2004 Dunhill Links champion, who has posted two impressive runner-up finishes this year to sit 33rd in the Race to Dubai rankings, said he had happy memories of the tournament having lifted the trophy back-to-back in 1991 and 1992.

“We’re delighted to be lending our support to the Scottish Boys Stroke Play Championship,” said Gallacher. “It’s a championship which I always remember fondly, given my two wins at Crieff and Monifieth, and that is one reason why I was keen to sponsor this event in 2012.

“I know Paul’s Foundation gave fantastic backing to the Scottish Boys at Murcar Links and I’m confident my Foundation will do the same.”

Gallacher’s Foundation – initially launched in the Lothians and Borders regions with a view to rolling out in Central Scotland in the future – has started positively with many children involved.

The organisation has come together thanks to the support of a number of partners, including one of Scottish golf’s biggest supporters, Scottish Hydro.

The Linlithgow-based player, who also works closely with the national junior programme ClubGolf, believes sponsoring the Scottish Boys Strokepay will further aid his Foundation’s development.

“The mission of the Foundation is to get as many young people as possible, of any age and ability, playing golf,” he added. “I’d like to think sponsoring the Scottish Boys Strokeplay Championship can help my Foundation further blossom, as well as supporting a great event run by the Scottish Golf Union.”

In welcoming the two-year deal, SGU marketing & sponsorship manager Ross Duncan said Gallacher’s support would bolster the aspirations of the junior competitors.

“It’s fantastic to have Stephen on board sponsoring one of our premier championships providing a great boost to the tournament and the youngsters taking part,” said Duncan. “Stephen is a real inspiration to the young players coming through our National Squads and Academies, having enjoyed such a superb amateur career in his time with the SGU.

“He has been supporting us for a while and has been a great help to the players, through passing on his advice and experience.”

Similarly to Lawrie at Murcar Links, Gallacher will be on site at Cardross to offer his support to an event also won by the likes of Scott Jamieson, Lloyd Saltman, Scott Henry and James Byrne, now all competing in the pro ranks, down the years.

Twelve months ago, Josh Jamieson claimed his biggest-ever victory when he triumphed by two shots at Nairn Dunbar.

St Andrews’ Ewan Scott, the Golf Data Lab Scottish Youths champion, and Paul Lawrie Foundation Scottish Boys winner Craig Howie (Peebles), will be among those seeking success this year.

After the close of entries, The 2012 Stephen Gallacher Foundation Scottish Boys Strokeplay Championship balloted at a handicap of 3.2.

 

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Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor of bunkered

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