A four-hour session at Kingsfield Golf Centre with European Tour star Stephen Gallacher gave Scotland’s leading amateur golfers a valuable insight into what it takes to make the successful transition to the professional ranks.
Gallacher, who enjoyed a glittering amateur career which saw him win the Scottish match play and stroke play titles as well as the European Amateur Championship, was Scotland’s leading performer in last year’s Race to Dubai and organised the squad get together with national coach Ian Rae at the Linlithgow venue on Friday.
The former Dunhill Links Champion was on hand to pass on his knowledge, experience and advice to thirteen members of the Scotland Men’s Elite Squad, including Troon Welbeck's Michael Stewart, ahead of getting his 2011 European Tour campaign underway in Abu Dhabi on 20 January.
The 36-year-old, who won his Tour card at the first attempt back in 1995, was delighted to play a part in mentoring the current squad, many of whom have their sights set on a place in the GB&I Walker Cup side, of which Gallacher was a member of sixteen years ago.
“There have obviously been some significant changes to the way the SGU develops the leading amateur players since I was a member of the squad and they are far more professional in their approach, which is of great benefit,” said Gallacher.
“I was fortunate to receive advice from my uncle (Bernard Gallacher) when I turned professional and I’m delighted that I can help the current players make that transition a little easier. I made some mistakes that I’m sure they can learn from and advice on any aspect on the professional game is invaluable to them, from preparation, travel, management companies and caddies.”
“It’s important they approach the professional game with the correct mindset, believing they can win and not changing what has worked for them as a successful amateur. All the Scottish players on Tour want to see more good young Scots coming through and we’re all on hand to help.” he added.
Gallacher and his wife Helen even prepared lunch for the squad after a visit to his favourite Linlithgow bakers before conducting the seminar at the nearby Kingsfield Golf Centre, to which he is affiliated, and national coach Ian Rae was full of appreciation for his input.
“We’re very grateful to Stephen for the time he spent with the squad and feedback from the players has been fantastic. They got a great insight into life on Tour and could really relate to Stephen, given his record as one of Scotland’s most successful amateur golfers,” said Rae.
“Many of the current squad have ambitions to turn professional over the next few years and its important they pick up as much as they can from players such as Stephen, who has years of experience on the European Tour and want to help the next generation of Scots.”
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