bathgate golfer is raring to go after his pro-am success at dubai creek

Gallacher is aiming to keep going well in Abu Dhabi

By Paul Third

Published:

Stephen Gallacher’s European Tour campaign for 2009 gets under way this week and already it has been a fantastic start to the new year for the 34-year-old.

The Press and Journal columnist is in the United Arab Emirates this week for the Abu Dhabi championship, the first of three back-to-back tournaments for the Bathgate golfer.

Gallacher made a terrific return to the tour on Monday by winning the pro-am at Dubai Creek with a three-under-par 68.

The prize for winning the competition is £50,000 to the charity of the player’s choosing and Gallacher has selected a hospital with strong links to his family.

Gallacher’s father-in-law Robert Kennedy died in January last year and the Scot has decided to honour the staff at the local hospital where Robert was treated.

He said: “I’ve picked the renal unit at Crosshouse hospital in Kilmarnock as the destination for the donation.

“My father-in-law attended the unit for dialysis three times a week for almost six years and the staff there were brilliant.

“The medical staff have a hard job trying to help some really ill patients and I am sure the unit will be able to put the donation to good use.”

Gallacher hopes the good fortune of his pro-am win will stand him in good stead when he gets his tour season under way tomorrow.

He said: “It has been the best start to a year I can remember and I still can’t believe I won the pro-am.

“When you start a season you expect to be a bit rusty, but I played really well and the charity donation was a terrific gesture by the organisers. The courses here are in fantastic condition and I’m hoping I continue where I left off last year.

“I was pleased with my form towards the end of 2008 and maybe Monday is a sign of good things to come this year.”