Scottish Open Pro-Am
Two Junior golfers were selected for the Aberdeen Asset Scottish Open Pro-Am on Wednesday 8th July at Gullane Golf Club. Jonny Pryde and Cameron Gallagher qualified for the team by finishing 1st and 2nd in the East Lothian Secondary Schools Order of Merit Scratch division.
On his selection for the Pro-Am, Jonny Pryde said: “I have been playing golf for 3 years. I began playing golf at Craigielaw Golf Club under the guidance of my dad and David Laing, the Assistant Professional. This season I have moved to Longniddry Golf Club where I have been working with my present coach Nathan Free. Last year I was involved in the Lothian's Golf Association winter development programme and I am now a regular team member for county matches. Highlights this year are:- finalist in Lothian's Under 16s Matchplay competition, winner of the Secondary Schools Order of Merit for Preston Lodge High School and finalist in Longniddry's Junior club championship. It will be an invaluable experience playing alongside the best players in the world and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity.
Cameron Gallagher was also delighted to be selected and is relishing the opportunity: “I have been playing golf for just over 3 years and started through ClubGolf and then the Stephen Gallacher Foundation. This year I have played in my first Scottish Boys at age 13 years, had my first win at Duddingston Junior Open and reached the final of Lothian Boys. My family has been supportive, my grandad first showed me the game but my dad has supported me through everything. Stephen Gallacher has also shown me that a wee boy from Scotland can make it on the big stage. It really means a lot to be playing in the Pro Am and I will try to take as much from the experience as possible.”
Both players are members at Longniddry Golf Club. General Manager and Company Secretary Bob Gunning expressed his best wishes for the pair on their exciting inclusion in the Pro-Am: “Cameron Gallagher, aged 14, only took up the game 3 years ago and is a product of the successful ClubGolf programme. In 2½ years, he has managed to lower his handicap from 28 to 6! Jonathan Pryde, aged 16, only recently decided to specialise in golf as his sport and has lowered his handicap from 11 to 5 in the last 12 months. Both work closely with Longniddry Assistant Professional Nathan Free and bright futures are predicted for the two boys. The Scottish Pro-Am appearance is a deserved reward for their efforts & commitment to the game”
Cameron and Johnny are pupils at Preston Lodge High School and were part of the Golf Team that won the Secondary Order of Merit. Their PE Teacher Ian Sellwood has been an inspiration to both pupils and many other golfers at the High School. He provides opportunities for pupils to learn and compete in golf and has set up the Preston Lodge Golf Academy. Cameron and Jonny were delighted to hear that Ian had been chosen to complete their group in the Pro-Am. Ian said: “I started playing golf in 1997, with my first membership at Newbattle Golf Club, and then I moved to Castle Park Golf Club in 2005. I am now at Dunbar Golf Club, having joined in 2014. My highlights in golf have ranged from playing to spectating. I always had the aim to get to category 1 golf when I broke into that I was delighted. I have managed to get as low as 4.1 and feel that is not bad for someone who has not had a lesson! I enjoyed watching our victorious Ryder Cup team last year at Gleneagles and I have been lucky enough to play in the group in front of Brian Lara at Royal Harbour Club in Antigua. Playing in the Pro Am means a great deal on 2 fronts. Firstly, to make up a Preston Lodge team is a special moment for all the hard work our golf team has put in and we take our sport very seriously at the school and will be doing as much as possible to win! Secondly, my son is going to caddy and that will be a proud occasion for me as we have put in a lot of early mornings and late afternoons of playing and practicing golf over the last couple of years!”
East Lothian Councillor Tim Day, Cabinet Spokesperson for Community Wellbeing added: “This was a fantastic opportunity for local junior golfers to take part in an event with some of the world’s top golfers. It is a just reward for all their hard work over the past few seasons and I thoroughly hope they enjoy the experience, gracing the same links as previous World Number 1s, major winners and past champions. This is a showcase of all the great work that goes into Junior Golf Development in East Lothian with partners including East Lothian Council, ClubGolf and Stephen Gallagher Foundation working together with local golf clubs to provide opportunities to learn, play, compete and excel in golf.”
