Golf: Gallacher hails the return of big event to Garden County

The US Kids Golf European Championships return to the Garden County at the end of the month and will feature some of the top young talent in the game.

Gallacher himself cut his competitive teeth on some of the courses that are being used for the three-day event. And the former Dunhill Links champion says it is exciting for the game's current crop of rising stars to be heading for East Lothian again. "There's no doubt that tournaments like the US Kids Golf European Championship are vital in nurturing the next generation of golfing talent," he told the Evening News.

"It not only encourages healthy competition between young players but also instils the positive values that golf can bring to the rest of their lives.

"Many of the players who take part in this competition are exceptionally talented and it is a shock to see just how well they are playing the game at such a tender age. They hit the ball as well as seasoned veterans and the precision of their shots is very impressive to watch.

"If they continue to, I think it's highly likely that some of these youngsters are going to go on to play on the professional tour and be challenging for majors in the future."

Gallacher, who lives in Linlithgow, recently became a member at Gullane, where he has agreed to provide mentoring for some of the club's junior members. "I have great memories of playing golf as a junior across the Lothians, and I am glad that so many young players from around the world are getting the chance to compete on these historic courses as well," he added. "It is great news for Scotland that this tournament is coming back once again in 2011 and I hope it continues to go from strength to strength in the coming years."

Around 500 players between the age of seven and 18 from across the world are expected for the event from May 31-June 2. The tournament will take place on Gullane No.2, Gullane No.?3, Craigielaw, Luffness New and Longniddry. The top finishers in each category will compete in the Van Horn Cup over Gullane No.1 - an event modelled on the Ryder Cup, where the best European players are matched up against the top golfers from the rest of the world.

The top five finishers in each age and gender group also automatically receive an invitation to the US Kids Golf World Championships at Pinehurst, North Carolina, in August.

"The European Championship is becoming one of the highlights of the junior golfing calendar and attracts some of the best young players from around the world," said Alasdair Good, tournament co-ordinator and head pro at Gullane.

"Over the past four years, we've seen the event go from strength to strength and there is always a tremendous amount of talent on display."

On Gallacher's support for the event, he added: "We're delighted that one of Scotland's leading players on the professional tour has given his backing to the tournament this year.

"As a new member at Gullane and a regular player in East Lothian, Stephen knows the challenges that these courses can pose - even for a seasoned pro - and I'm sure he will be impressed with the standard of these competitors.

"I have no doubt that many of them will be playing in the future on the same professional Tour that Stephen currently challenges on."