Bradley Neil has first-hand knowledge of Stephen Gallacher’s qualities as a partner on a golf course.
The pair teamed up on an Open practice day to win an all-Scottish four-ball at Hoylake against Paul Lawrie and Paul McKechnie, with a modest wager and Caledonian bragging rights on the line.
The stakes will be slightly higher for the only home player in the European Ryder Cup team at Gleneagles next week, but British Amateur champion Neil believes Gallacher will play a key role for captain Paul McGinley.
The Blairgowrie member, who will be competing in the Junior Ryder Cup on his home course on Monday and Tuesday, said: “Tell Paul McGinley he should be playing every game!
“We were a pretty solid team that Wednesday at the Open.
“It was myself and Stephen against Paul Lawrie and Paul McKechnie over eight holes. We either won 2 and 1 or 3 and 1. I’ve still not got my £20 we’re owed!
“Seriously though, money can’t buy an experience like that. It was brilliant.
“I was so touched that Stephen and Paul 4messaged me and asked me to play a round with them. I thought I’d have to go and ask.”
Neil puts Gallacher in exalted company when it comes to assessing the Bathgate man’s long-game.
“People say Sandy Lyle is the best Scottish ball striker there’s ever been,” he noted, “but I’d like to think Stevie Gallacher gives him a run for his money.
“He’s probably one of the best ball-strikers on tour. But he’s excellent in other parts of his game as well.
“Ball-striking is just one aspect of golf. I’ve played with guys who aren’t impressive ball strikers but they still shoot five under.
“He’s got a great awareness of where he is in a tournament and what he needs to do to make a score.
“He’s like Paul Lawrie. You can see how they’ve built their careers up over so many years.”
Neil is in no doubt that Lawrie has proved to be an inspirational figure for Gallacher, as Gallacher has to him.
He said: “He’s always been close to making teams. He’s probably seen Paul Lawrie rejuvenate his career and make the last Ryder Cup team and has taken confidence from that.
“Having a Ryder Cup in your own country must have been a huge motivation for him over the last couple of years.
“It will have helped keep his good golf going. To see him make the team is a massive inspiration for me.
“The likes of Stephen have all gone through the same system I’m going through with the SGU.
“You learn so much when you get the chance to play with these guys what they’re thinking and why they choose certain shots.”
Neil has backed Gallacher to cope with the unique pressure he will be under in Perthshire.
“Stephen will be nervous because he’s the only one playing in his home country,” he pointed out.
“The quicker he gets put out on the course, the better it will be for him.
“We all remember what happened to Andrew Coltart in 1999 when he didn’t get a game until the singles. He was in unknown territory on the Sunday.
“If Stephen gets a game early he could get a lot of points for the team.
“It doesn’t mean anything to be a rookie anymore. Just look at his career he’s played in team events and has won big tournaments.
“He might not be experienced in that particular event, but he’ll adapt pretty quickly, I’m sure.”
Neil will be a spectator at Gleneagles, but before that he has the task of helping secure the junior version of the trophy on a Rosemount Course he has played on for over a decade.
And, as with Gallacher up the road at Auchter-arder, the former Blairgowrie High pupil will have to deal with the pressure of being a home hero.
“All around the club and Blairgowrie people are taking an interest,” he said. “It has been well hyped up. It should attract a lot of locals to come and watch.
“But the only pressure I will feel is what I put on myself. I don’t feel extra pressure because people here are wishing me well.
“I have such high expectations to do well and every week I was doing well was taking me one step closer to making the Junior Ryder Cup team. I was growing more and more confident of making it.
“I set my goals every year and making the Eisenhower and GB&I teams has been great. But I wanted to play here and it was a massive relief making the team.
“I have had my best ever season and this is a great way to round off my career in the junior ranks.”
Douglas Cleeton, Blairgowrie GC managing secretary, said preparations were on schedule for the biggest event the 125-year-old club has ever hosted.
He said: “The weather forecast is decent for next week and the Rosemount course is in superb condition. These young players will enjoy it here and the club will also be profiled to a Sky Sports television audience.
“This will be the biggest ever turn out for a Junior Ryder Cup match and we are proud to be hosting an event of this stature. It will be great for Blairgowrie, not just the golf club.”
Preparations have been building for a free-to- access event which sees 1,500 Clubgolf children visiting the area each day from all over Scotland. There will be a park and ride facility from Bogles Field as golf fans cast their eyes over potential stars of tomorrow.
Practice days are on Saturday and Sunday, with the matches taking place on Monday and Tuesday. Club members have rallied round to act as volunteers.