Stephen Gallacher’s son Jack may well turn out to be a chip off the old block but the Scot has designs on benefitting as much of Scottish golf as well as his own family.
Jack, who plays off single figures at just 12 years old, made his debut for the Lothians boys’ team in front of his proud father, but is just one of a host of young players Gallacher is trying to help as part of his foundation.
Just a year after it was set up as a mirror of his friend Paul Lawrie’s similar operation in the north east, the Dubai Desert Classic champion is expanding operations.
“I take my hat off to the Lothians guys for putting lads in at just 12, there were three in the team including Jack,” he explained. “They were playing against 16 and 17 years olds and being outdriven by 100 yards but my wee man only lost 2 and 1 on the other lad’s home track, so I was delighted.
“I think you’ve got to start them young, get them used to playing competitively so that they are not fazed by it when they are 17 years old and they can hit the ground running.”
Gallacher believes there is young talent in Scotland to maintain the future of golf and is keen to help in any way he can, but wants realistic expectations.
“When you look back at the really young superstars in golf there has only been Tiger, Phil, Sergio, Manassero and Rory, just a handful,” he pointed out.
“It’s the same as Messi, Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney in football these talents don’t come around very often.
“There’s plenty young kids I see at the foundation on a Sunday who can play at eight years old. It’s a process we’ve got to start young, manage them all the way through and, who knows, with the right support we might produce the next superstar.
“Even if there isn’t, if we can just get kids coming through who have learned the game and enjoy their golf, then that’s just as good, I think.”
While he came through the Scottish amateur ranks and developed through their systems before turning professional, Gallacher wants to help in all corners of the Scottish game.
“When I see the kids turning up in their droves sometimes as much as 60 coming along on a Sunday you are hoping that maybe one day a couple of girls or boys will go through the (SGU) pathway to play on tour,” he said.
“Hopefully we can put them in position to go down the academic route with scholarships to Stirling University or to the American colleges.”
Although he didn’t take the route himself, Gallacher sees plenty of talent among the young club professionals and wants to target their development as well.
“It shouldn’t be just get to the Walker Cup and if you don’t get your tour card, that’s you,” he continued.
“Chris Doak is playing in the US Open this week, he came from the Tartan Tour and is finding his way now. Greig Hutcheon played well down at the PGA the other week so there are a lot of guys on the periphery who are knocking on the door.
“The more guys we can get on the European Tour the more chance we have of knocking a win off. It’s evident now when you look at the entry list and there’s 10 or 15 Scots on there.
“That’s phenomenal when you look back to seven years or so ago, and we have to keep it going.”