Scottish Hydro expands golf support

SEVERAL of the country’s most promising golfers received a boost yesterday with the announcement that Scottish Hydro is extending its involvement in helping develop the game at professional and grassroots levels.

The energy giant has increased from five to seven the number of players who will form team Scottish Hydro – also including two members of the Ladies European Tour as part of the initiative.

Callum Macaulay (Tulliallan), Chris Doak (unattached) and Jamie McLeary (Dalmahoy) – members of last year’s team – along with Andrew McArthur (Windyhills), Jack Doherty (North Gailes) , Vikki Laing (Kings Acre) and Kylie Walker (The Carrick) will have their golf-related expenses met for a year as part of a package estimated to be worth in the region of £400,000.

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The company also announced that it is forming a partnership with the Stephen Gallacher Foundation, set up to give children of all ages in the Lothians and Borders areas the opportunity to take up the game.

Gallacher welcomed the announcement, adding: “Scottish Hydro’s commitment is brilliant because the Challenge Tour is a stepping stone and these players can prepare properly to win without worrying about expenses.”

In spite of his increased workload, Gallacher also stressed that his hands-on involvement with his recently formed Foundation will not be allowed to detract from his own playing ambitions.

The 37-year-old Bathgate player insisted: “I have never taken my eye off the ball. I am still trying to improve by working harder to get into the winner’s circle and I would never let this impact on my own game.

“I have twice been only one place away from a win this season and when you finish second, you are racking your brains to see what you could have done differently to get to the top. I also played with three guys last year who won the tournament and you think maybe you could have been a bit more aggressive, but it’s still a learning process.

“There are a lot of players who have had seconds. [Jack] Nicklaus has 19 in majors and it is part of the game. There are 155 people to beat every week and the standard is so high.”