Former Ryder Cup captain humbled by recognition
DURING a fantastic evening at the Hilton Glasgow before a sell-out audience of 650 guests, former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher collected a richly-deserved Lifetime Achievement honour.
“It was an honour to receive the award in front of Scotland’s golf fans and several members of my family,” said Europe’s victorious skipper at Oak Hill in 1995, looking well after his health scare last year. “I’m also privileged to follow in the footsteps of past winners of the award, Sandy Lyle, Sam Torrance, Paul Lawrie and Colin Montgomerie.”
The annual showpiece event, jointly-organised by the SGU and SLGA, raised thousands of pounds for the new Scottish Golf Charitable Trust, which supports junior golf, education and environmental best practice, while all proceeds from the Jewson Long Putt Challenge went to Gallacher’s defibrillator campaign.
SUCCESS
On a night to celebrate Scottish golf at all levels, looking back to the successes of 2013 and looking ahead to the Ryder Cup in September, Gallacher was joined by his fellow Ryder Cup Scots Lyle, Andrew Coltart, Harry Bannerman and Norman Wood for a Q&A with awards co-hosts Dougie Donnelly and Caroline Henderson.
The quintet were reacquainted with the Ryder Cup, while the Claret Jug, Solheim Cup, Stephen Gallacher’s Dubai Desert Classic trophy and British Boys silverware, won by Bearsden’s Ewen Ferguson, were also on show.
PERSONALITIES
Other famous personalities from golf who gathered included Craig Lee, former Solheim Cup player Janice Moodie and GB Golf Team Leader Jamie Spence.
Fresh from their superb silver medal in Sochi, the Team GB Men’s Curling team were also in attendance, led by their skipper David Murdoch. Former Scotland and Rangers manager Walter Smith and Celtic boss Neil Lennon were among those representing football, along with two of Scotland’s 1984 Grand Slam rugby heroes – Euan Kennedy and John Beattie.
Phil Mickelson’s superb title-winning chip in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open play-off at Castle Stuart last summer earned him the Shot of the Year, with the popular American recording a special thank you message for his Scottish fans, and offering his congratulations to Gallacher.
Gallacher with his Lifetime Achievement Award
Photo: Kenny Smith
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