Who needs the Masters when you’ve got the Scottish Boys’ and Girls’ Strokeplay Championships at Montrose and Monifieth? “It’s sleet at the moment,” said Stephen Gallacher on the eve of his son Jack’s debut appearance in the under-18 showpiece. So just good honest Scottish golfing weather then? “Character building,” added Gallacher with a wry chuckle.
This week’s contest will be 17-year-old Jack’s first outing in a national championship. Faither, of course, has seen it, done it and has a garret stuffed with t-shirts. His wins in the Scottish Boys’ Strokeplay Championship in 1991 and 1992 set him on his way to a hugely successful amateur career before he made the leap into the pro ranks and went on to become a European Tour winner and Ryder Cup player. “When you win at that level when you are coming up through the ranks, you know you are on the right road,” said Gallacher of that double-whammy of boys’ titles.
Young Jack has got some sizeable shoes to fill but following in big footsteps is par for the course in the Gallacher family. “It’s just a natural thing for people to make comparisons,” added Gallacher senior. “I had that all my days with my uncle Bernard. If you can’t deal with that, you won’t have much chance of doing it for a living I don’t think. I used it in a good way. I would embrace it and try to emulate what Bernard had achieved.”
Jack has been a regular fixture at golfing events across the world as he watches his dad’s exploits at close quarters. The golf glove will be on the other hand this week, though. “I think I will keep a distance,” added Gallacher as he prepares for spectating as opposed to playing. “I’ll take the dog, watch him play the first couple of holes and then watch him play the last couple. If he said to me, ‘dad, I’d love you to come round with me’, then I’d walk all 18 holes but he’s not said that. I’ll just let him get on with. I’m not wanting to put too much pressure on him. He has to enjoy it and just do his best. Whatever happens will hopefully be the making of him.”
In the pressure-cooker atmosphere of golf in the upper echelons, Gallacher has made putts to win European titles and has stood on first tees at majors and a Ryder Cup. The finger nails will no doubt get a good nibbling at Montrose this week. “Of course I’ll be nervous as it’s all out of my control,” he said. “There’s nothing I can do. Jack is a calm wee kid. He’s been around a lot of golf all his days and he’s watched me for years. We’re just trying to give him all the chances to be as good as he can. Like everything, it’s up to the individual and it comes down to how much you want it. I'll be proud of him and hopefully this week is another part of his learning process."
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