While Ian Woosnam is going through the agonising decision concerning his two Ryder Cup Captain’s Picks in Germany this weekend, two of the few men in the world who understand the pressure the Welshman is under to make the right choice will be going head to head in their native Scotland at the Charles Church Scottish Seniors Open.
Bernard Gallacher and Sam Torrance have both reached one of golf’s highest plateaus by Captaining Europe to Ryder Cup glory, and both men will bring their considerable presence to the Marriott Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club for the £200,000 event, where England’s Nick Job defends his title.
Gallacher skippered Europe three times in The Ryder Cup between 1991 and 1995 and went through the pain of losing twice before taking his 1995 squad to Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester New York, where they defeated the USA against the odds to allow Gallacher the chance to lift the Samuel Ryder Trophy.
Torrance shared that same joyous feeling seven years later at The De Vere Belfry, and Woosnam will be hoping to join that exclusive club of victorious European Captains at the Ryder Cup’s Closing Ceremony at The K Club, Straffan, Co. Kildare, Ireland on September 24.
Only eight men have managed to guide Great Britain and Ireland and then Europe to victory since the inaugural Ryder Cup Match in 1927, and, after almost two years of preparation and build up, Woosnam’s bid to join that illustrious Captain’s winners circle will begin in ernest at the conclusion of play at the BMW International Open, when the ten automatic places in Europe’s 2006 Team will be finalised.
It is then that Woosnam will make one the most crucial decisions thrust upon every Ryder Cup Captain, when he must choose the two players who will join the ten automatic qualifiers in his Team.
Both Gallacher and Torrance have been through the torment of having to decide who they think would best compliment their Teams, and they will no doubt spare a thought for Woosnam as they do battle for the Charles Church Scottish Seniors title.
While Gallacher is no longer a regular on the European Seniors Tour, Torrance is closing in on a second consecutive Order of Merit Title after regaining pole position from Argentina’s Eduardo Romero with victoy the PGA Seniors Championship at The Stoke By Nayland Golf Club last weekend.
Torrance's already sky high confience will be given en extra boost by the fact The Charles Church Scottish Seniors Open is returning to the Marriott Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club after a five year absence from the fabulous venue in the east of Scotland. The 53 year old has fond memories having won the Scottish PGA Championship there 15 years ago.
"I’m looking forward to going back to Dalmahoy this week for the Scottish Seniors," said Torrance. "I’ve happy memories there – I think I won by 15 shots the last time I won the Scottish PGA Championship there about 15 years ago.”
Both England’s Neil Coles and Australian Noel Ratcliffe will aslo be hoping that the return to Dalmahoy can inspire them to repeat their respective victories of 1999 and 2000.
