Golf: Stephen Gallacher to sponsor top boys’ event

Stephen Gallacher has further strengthened his support for junior golf with his new Foundation announced as the sponsor of the event he won twice as an amateur – the Scottish Boys’ Stroke Play Championship.

Following in the footsteps of Paul Lawrie, whose Foundation backed the Scottish Boys Championship in April, Gallacher is continuing the encouraging trend among the nation’s top professionals to support Scottish golf across various levels.

Regarded as Scotland’s premier stroke-play event for under-18s, the Stephen Gallacher Foundation Scottish Boys Stroke Play Championship will take place from 24-26 July at Cardross.

The 37-year-old, who launched his Foundation in March after being spurred on by the success of Lawrie’s work in his native north-east, has happy memories of the Boys’ Stroke Play, having lifted the trophy back-to-back in 1991 and 1992.

The 2004 Dunhill Links champion said: “We’re delighted to be lending our support to the Scottish Boys’ Stroke Play Championship. It’s an event 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.”

SGU Marketing & Sponsorship Manager Ross Duncan said: “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.”