Stephen Gallacher returns to action for first time since father’s death

Young nephew’s win cheers Scot as he heads for Celtic Classic

Stephen Gallacher returns to action this week for the first time since losing his dad Jim, having seen the pain from that healed a bit by a welcome joyous occasion for his family.

Before heading down to Celtic Manor in Wales for the Celtic Classic, the fourth event on the European Tour’s new UK Swing, Gallacher, pictured, was at Bathgate Golf Club on Sunday for its finals day.

He was there to see his nephew, Oliver Henderson, play in one of the junior finals and was delighted that he come out on top, adding to the Gallacher dynasty’s title haul at the West Lothian club.

Stephen Gallacher returns in the Celtic Classic.

“Oliver, who is my sister Jennifer’s boy, was adamant that he wanted me to watch him,” said the four-time European Tour winner. “I’m glad I did as it was a match between two cracking kids and it was brilliant to see him do it. It was great to watch.”

Gallacher was gearing up for the Betfred British Masters, which marked the European Tour’s restart when his dad passed away suddenly last month.

“I’d been down to Close House for a recce the week before, had played a couple of times at Dumbarnie and also at The Renaissance Club, and I’d got myself sharp,” he said.

“I then had a couple of weeks where I wasn’t playing due to having to organise things before starting to pick it up again and that’s the reason I left it a bit later to come out on tour.

“In preparation, I played down at Turnberry, which was in great nick, hit some balls when I was up in Dornoch for a few days, played Dumbarnie again and The Renaissance, so I am looking forward to getting back into it.”

In a warm tribute following his death, Gallacher described his dad as both his “No 1 fan and biggest critic”. They shared some great times together through golf and, though his heart is still heavy, the 45-year-old feels ready to get back to work.

“I think you’ve got to get on with it and my old man would have wanted me to do that,” he said. “Even coming down here, myself and Jack (his son and caddie) were halfway down the M6 there was a crash somewhere and I said to Jack, ‘where are we going to go to avoid it?’

“We both turned to each other at the same time and said, ‘this is when I’d have phoned my old man’ as he knew everywhere to go from driving the length and breadth of the country alot.

“Time is a great healer. He’d have wanted me to be playing golf again sooner rather than later, that was never an issue. It’s the first big loss I’ve had in my life. I’ve lost grandparents and I knew that time is a great healer from that. I’m fine now.”

Grant Forrest, Connor Syme, Liam Johnston, Calum Hill, Richie Ramsay, Marc Warren, and Scott Jamieson are also in the field for the first leg of a double-header at Celtic Manor, but David Drysdale is sitting this one out due to a back problem.

“I’ve had a couple of good results here and the clourse is in immaculate condition,” said Gallacher. “It’s playing a bit different to what I can remember. I think it was early on in the year mainly when we used to come here. But, with having been 30-plus degrees here so far this 
week, you are getting a bit of run.”

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