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John Gallagher (golfer)
Encyclopedia
John Gallagher is a Scottish
professional golfer
on the PGA EuroPro Tour
. In April 2009 he earned tour playing privileges when he shot a closing one-under par 70 in final qualifying at Frilford Heath.
Gallagher's most prolific amateur victory came at the 2007 Scottish Amateur Championship which was played at Prestwick Golf Club in Ayrshire. The final match was a resounding 4&3 win over Keir McNicoll. He also finished 2nd in the 2005 Amateur Championship
, defeating 19 year-old sensation Lloyd Saltman
in the semi-final.
Gallagher reached as high as 14th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. His key strength is consistently accurate play from tee to green. He is a self-taught right-handed golfer with a "cack-handed" or "cross-handed" grip. He grips every club with his left hand below his right.
, Scotland
, where his father John was and is greenskeeper at Swanston New Golf Club. He grew up playing at Swanston New golf club and taught himself the game without the benefit of even one lesson.
Gallagher has won three important Scottish amateur tournaments — the 2005 Craigmillar Park Open, the 2006 Tennant Cup, and the 2007 Scottish Amateur Championship. He also played for Scotland in its back-to-back victories at the Home Internationals in 2005 and 2006 and at the Spirit International in Trinity, Texas
in 2005. He has competed in several national amateur championships and in numerous elite amateur tournaments across four continents.
on top of his impressive run through one of the strongest fields in amateur golf put him on the international map of elite amateur golf. The relatively unknown golfer playing out of the modest Swanston New course was suddenly one match away from claiming one of the top two amateur titles in the world and earning coveted invitations to the Masters Tournament and The Open Championship
. Irishman Brian McElhinney, however, got ahead early in their final match and Gallagher could never mount a serious charge in the blustery conditions. At this point Gallagher was ranked 14th in the world among amateur golfers. Participating in Scotland's victory at the Home Internationals over Ireland, Wales, and a very strong English contingent capped off his breakthrough 2005 season.
Several strong finishes in 2006 including victory in the Tennant Cup saw Gallagher again briefly break into the top 50 of the worldwide amateur golf ranking. He began to experience pain in his wrist which affected his play somewhat as the 2007 season wore on. Told that he would not likely make things worse by playing in this pain, he entered the Scottish Amateur Championship and won, earning an invitation to the Scottish Open
on the European Tour. Gallagher underwent surgery on his wrist after the 2007 season.
The 2008 season began with residual pain in the wrist and uneven results in competition for Gallagher. He rounded into form in time to begin the Scottish Open with a three under par 68. On the second day he was again three under par through 16 holes at the demanding Loch Lomond
course and appeared atop the second page of the leader board. His double-bogey triple-bogey finish cost him the chance to play on the weekend. This outstanding performance (save the last two holes), solidified his confidence in his ability to compete in the professional ranks which he joined in 2009.
In 2009 Gallagher's highest finish on the PGA EuroPro Tour
was T-23. He twice shot what was then his low competitive professional round of 67. He first accomplished this at the MotoCaddy Masters at The Players Club near Codrington in July. Three weeks later, he again recorded a 67 in the opening round, this time at the Virgin Atlantic 25th Anniversary Classic at Marriott Tudor Park. Gallagher finished the 2009 season 69th on the PGA EuroPro Tour order of merit and was 93rd in 2010 while playing in just 9 events.
In 2011 Gallagher earned his first professional victory at the West Lancashire Open. In the process he achieved his lowest 18-hole score to date with a 65. He finished 33rd on the 1836 Tour order of merit while appearing in just 5 events. He also competed on the Europro tour, with his best finish coming at the Network Veka Classic (18th). While entering 8 events he finished 86th on the Europro tour order of merit.
John got married to his girlfriend Lisa in Las Vegas on 2nd October 2011
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
professional golfer
Professional golfer
In golf the distinction between amateurs and professionals is rigorously maintained. An amateur who breaches the rules of amateur status may lose his or her amateur status. A golfer who has lost his or her amateur status may not play in amateur competitions until amateur status has been reinstated;...
on the PGA EuroPro Tour
PGA EuroPro Tour
The PGA EuroPro Tour is a men's developmental professional golf tour. It was created in 2002 by the merger of two older development tours, the EuroPro Tour and the PGA Mastercard Tour. It is based mainly in the United Kingdom, with a few events in other countries...
. In April 2009 he earned tour playing privileges when he shot a closing one-under par 70 in final qualifying at Frilford Heath.
Gallagher's most prolific amateur victory came at the 2007 Scottish Amateur Championship which was played at Prestwick Golf Club in Ayrshire. The final match was a resounding 4&3 win over Keir McNicoll. He also finished 2nd in the 2005 Amateur Championship
The Amateur Championship
The Amateur Championship is a golf tournament which is held annually in the United Kingdom. It is one of the two leading individual tournaments for amateur golfers, alongside the U.S. Amateur...
, defeating 19 year-old sensation Lloyd Saltman
Lloyd Saltman
Lloyd Saltman is a Scottish professional golfer.Saltman was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and is the grandson of former Hibernian goalkeeper Tommy Younger...
in the semi-final.
Gallagher reached as high as 14th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. His key strength is consistently accurate play from tee to green. He is a self-taught right-handed golfer with a "cack-handed" or "cross-handed" grip. He grips every club with his left hand below his right.
Biography
Born to an Irish father and Scottish mother, Gallagher was raised and educated in EdinburghEdinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, where his father John was and is greenskeeper at Swanston New Golf Club. He grew up playing at Swanston New golf club and taught himself the game without the benefit of even one lesson.
Gallagher has won three important Scottish amateur tournaments — the 2005 Craigmillar Park Open, the 2006 Tennant Cup, and the 2007 Scottish Amateur Championship. He also played for Scotland in its back-to-back victories at the Home Internationals in 2005 and 2006 and at the Spirit International in Trinity, Texas
Trinity, Texas
Trinity is a city in Trinity County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,721 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Trinity is located at ....
in 2005. He has competed in several national amateur championships and in numerous elite amateur tournaments across four continents.
Career outline
Gallagher burst into the international spotlight with his runner-up finish in the 2005 Amateur Championship at Royal Birkdale. His semi-final victory over heavily favored Lloyd SaltmanLloyd Saltman
Lloyd Saltman is a Scottish professional golfer.Saltman was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and is the grandson of former Hibernian goalkeeper Tommy Younger...
on top of his impressive run through one of the strongest fields in amateur golf put him on the international map of elite amateur golf. The relatively unknown golfer playing out of the modest Swanston New course was suddenly one match away from claiming one of the top two amateur titles in the world and earning coveted invitations to the Masters Tournament and The Open Championship
The Open Championship
The Open Championship, or simply The Open , is the oldest of the four major championships in professional golf. It is the only "major" held outside the USA and is administered by The R&A, which is the governing body of golf outside the USA and Mexico...
. Irishman Brian McElhinney, however, got ahead early in their final match and Gallagher could never mount a serious charge in the blustery conditions. At this point Gallagher was ranked 14th in the world among amateur golfers. Participating in Scotland's victory at the Home Internationals over Ireland, Wales, and a very strong English contingent capped off his breakthrough 2005 season.
Several strong finishes in 2006 including victory in the Tennant Cup saw Gallagher again briefly break into the top 50 of the worldwide amateur golf ranking. He began to experience pain in his wrist which affected his play somewhat as the 2007 season wore on. Told that he would not likely make things worse by playing in this pain, he entered the Scottish Amateur Championship and won, earning an invitation to the Scottish Open
Scottish Open (golf)
The Scottish Open, which has been sponsored by Barclays Capital since 2002, is one of the richer golf tournaments on the European Tour. It is currently played at Castle Stuart Golf Links in Inverness in the North of Scotland...
on the European Tour. Gallagher underwent surgery on his wrist after the 2007 season.
The 2008 season began with residual pain in the wrist and uneven results in competition for Gallagher. He rounded into form in time to begin the Scottish Open with a three under par 68. On the second day he was again three under par through 16 holes at the demanding Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond Golf Club
Loch Lomond Golf Club is located in Luss, Argyll & Bute, Scotland on the shore of Loch Lomond. The course occupies land previously held by Clan Colquhoun and includes the clan's seat of Rossdhu Mansion as its clubhouse.-History:...
course and appeared atop the second page of the leader board. His double-bogey triple-bogey finish cost him the chance to play on the weekend. This outstanding performance (save the last two holes), solidified his confidence in his ability to compete in the professional ranks which he joined in 2009.
In 2009 Gallagher's highest finish on the PGA EuroPro Tour
PGA EuroPro Tour
The PGA EuroPro Tour is a men's developmental professional golf tour. It was created in 2002 by the merger of two older development tours, the EuroPro Tour and the PGA Mastercard Tour. It is based mainly in the United Kingdom, with a few events in other countries...
was T-23. He twice shot what was then his low competitive professional round of 67. He first accomplished this at the MotoCaddy Masters at The Players Club near Codrington in July. Three weeks later, he again recorded a 67 in the opening round, this time at the Virgin Atlantic 25th Anniversary Classic at Marriott Tudor Park. Gallagher finished the 2009 season 69th on the PGA EuroPro Tour order of merit and was 93rd in 2010 while playing in just 9 events.
In 2011 Gallagher earned his first professional victory at the West Lancashire Open. In the process he achieved his lowest 18-hole score to date with a 65. He finished 33rd on the 1836 Tour order of merit while appearing in just 5 events. He also competed on the Europro tour, with his best finish coming at the Network Veka Classic (18th). While entering 8 events he finished 86th on the Europro tour order of merit.
Home Internationals and other team golf
Gallagher has represented Scotland at three consecutive Home Internationals competitions and was on the winning side each of his first two years. By September, 2007 his wrist pain was acute, and it limited his effectiveness in his third campaign. His career record at the Home Internationals is 6-7-2, scoring 7 points.Personal life
Gallagher lives in the Edinburgh Oxgangs neighborhood where he grew up. He still plays out of Swanston New, the course on which he learned and whose championships he came to dominate. He holds the course record of 58. He has scored three aces in medal play. His father caddies for him whenever he can.John got married to his girlfriend Lisa in Las Vegas on 2nd October 2011
Amateur wins (3)
- 2005 Craigmillar Park Open
- 2006 Tennant Cup
- 2007 Scottish Amateur Championship
Noteworthy course records (5)
- 58 (-8) - Swanston New
- 63 (-6) - Baberton
- 63 (-6) - WestLinton
- 64 (-7) - Silverknowes
- 64 (-5) - Loch End
Team appearances
Amateur- Home Internationals: (representing Scotland) 2005 (winners), 2006 (winners), 2007
- The Spirit International Amateur Championship: (representing Scotland) 2005