Jamie Gallacher makes Scottish Amateur return in memory of grandfather

Making its return to the venue for the first time since 2002, when Andrew McArthur beat Scott Jamieson in the final, the SGU's flagship event tees off this morning on the Ayrshire coast, but Gallacher, the son of Ryder Cup-winning captain Bernard, is among those having to wait until tomorrow to enter the fray.

It's the 34-year-old's first appearance in the match-play tournament since 1999 and is partly a tribute to his grandad, Barney, who passed away towards the end of last year. "He used to drive me all over Scotland to play in events when I first came up here to compete, so this is a nostalgic trip for me," said the Sunningdale member.

A former Surrey player, Gallacher went to Wake Forest University in North Carolina just after Darren Clarke but, since becoming a property surveyor in London, his golfing career is limited to the weekend these days. The scratch player, therefore, admits his expectations this week are "pretty minimal".

"In my four appearances in the Scottish Amateur between 1996 and 1999, I think I got to the third round almost every time - but that was it," he recalled. "I remember knocking out Paul McKechnie (now a prolific winner on the Tartan Tour] at Prestwick and also beating David Robertson at Carnoustie, where I was then beaten by Graham Fox."

While Bernard won the Scottish Stroke-play Championship in 1967, he was unable to get his hands on a medal in this event, though Stephen did put the Gallacher name on the trophy in 1992. Jamie is up against Michael Dailly, a useful player from Erskine, in the first round, with the winner facing the prospect of meeting the seeded Kris Nicol from Fraserburgh next time out on Wednesday morning. "To be honest, I don't recognise any of the names in the entire draw, but I've no doubt the standard has got even better over the last 12 years," observed Gallacher.

That standard has been set recently by Michael Stewart, the defending champion at Western Gailes and world No 12, just above Tom Lewis, the Open Championship Silver Medal winner at Royal St George's. History is against Stewart this week. Charlie Green was the last player to win back-to-back titles in 1982-83, but the 21-year-old from Troon Welbeck is relishing the challenge in his native Ayrshire.

"I'm looking forward to it - the fact I'm the defending champion and playing a course that's so close to home mean it's a special week for me," said Stewart. "Western is a tremendous golf course, one of my favourite layouts. It's a tough but fair test which is what you want for a match-play event."

Stewart is the first of the eight seeds in action this morning and should have too much firepower for Bonnyton's David Docherty. The title favourite, however, will be taking nothing for granted as he bids to rubber-stamp his place in the Great Britain & Ireland team for the Walker Cup at Royal Aberdeen in September.

"In match-play everyone is a threat," he noted. "One of the top seeds could shoot 65 in the first round and still get beat. If I play well and get beat, I will shake the other guy's hand and say 'well done'. If I win, it's on to the next round and obviously the goal is to defend my title."

Stewart and Banchory's James Byrne, one of his main rivals in Ayrshire, joined Lewis and nine other members of the Great Britain & Ireland squad in Aberdeen last week for the latest in a series of get-togethers organised by captain Nigel Edwards.

"That was great as it's the first time I have seen the course since the British Boys in 2006," said Stewart. "It was also great to speak to Tom about his experience at The Open. He told me a few things from his experience which I will take a note of for future events. I just hope my name is announced for the team come September."

That seems a certainty but, as things stand, it also seems likely that Byrne will be the only other player representing the host country in the biennial clash with the Americans.

Since losing in the final of the Amateur Championship at Muirfield last year, when he also reached the semi-finals of this event, the 22-year-old has slipped to 150th in the world. He made a timely return to form, however, in the recent European Team Championship in Portugal and is aiming to use this week's event to underline his match-play credentials to Edwards.

"It's taken me a while but I feel I am finding good form again after struggling just after I got back (from finishing at Arizona State University]," said Byrne, who is up against Barassie's Stuart Miller in his opening match tomorrow. "I'm feeling good about my game at the moment. Matchplay is all about mental strength and I believe that side of my game is fast improving."

Hazlehead's David Law, the winner just down the coast at Royal Troon two years ago, probably needs to regain the title to resurrect his Walker Cup hopes and is one of the other seeds along with Paul Shields (Kirkhill), James White (Lundin), Greg Paterson (St Andrews New) and Ross Kellett (Colville Park). It's already been a season to remember for Fife golfers but, if either White or Paterson or any of the others in a strong contingent heading for Ayrshire can claim this title as well, then a Public Holiday might just about be in order in the Kingdom.