Gallacher Honored by Fellow Scots


Former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher was honored with a Lifetime Achievement accolade at the 2014 Scottish Golf Awards. At the Hilton Glasgow before a sell-out audience of 650 guests, Gallacher drew a standing ovation before collecting the final award of the night from former Ryder Cup teammate and two-time major winner, Sandy Lyle.

Gallacher, who suffered a heart attack last year, was involved in every Ryder Cup - in some capacity - between 1969 to 1995. He played on eight teams, was an assistant three times and was also captain three times, leading the European team to victory at Oak Hill in 1995.

The Bathgate native enjoyed a fine career on the European Tour, with 22 professional wins, finishing in the top 10 on the European Tour Order of Merit five times between 1972 and 1982.

Of the honor, Gallacher said, "It was a hugely enjoyable night at the 2014 Scottish Golf Awards at the Hilton Glasgow. It was an honor to receive the award in front of Scotland's golf fans and several members of my family. I'm also privileged to follow in the footsteps of past winners of the award, Sandy Lyle, Sam Torrance, Paul Lawrie and Colin Montgomerie.

"I'm lucky to have enjoyed a wonderful career, with the Ryder Cup obviously among my highlights. 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 at Gleneagles this year.

"Well done to all the award winners and thank you to the Scottish Golf Union and the Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association for organizing a wonderful evening."

The annual event, jointly-organized by the SGU and SLGA, raised thousands of pounds for the new Scottish Golf Charitable Trust, which supports junior golf, education and environmental best practices, while all proceeds from the Jewson Long Putt Challenge went to Gallacher's defibrillator campaign.

Other honorees included Solheim Cup star and Scottish Open champion Catriona Matthew being named Player of the Year.

Phil Mickelson's superb title-winning chip in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open playoff at Castle Stuart last summer earned him the Shot of the Year, with the popular American sending along a special thank-you message for his Scottish fans.

The University of Stirling, which defended their European title last year, was named the Team of the Year.

The awards also recognized the efforts of those involved at the grass roots of the game, with the RBS Volunteer of the Year award going to Liz Taylor from Prestonfield, while Highland club Fortrose & Rosemarkie triumphed in the RBS Junior Club of the Year.