Junior Ryder Cup and Stephen Gallacher Foundation with Scott Knowles - Linked By Golf

Guest: Scott Knowles

In this episode of Linked By Golf, Ross chats with Scott Knowles — Junior Ryder Cup Vice Captain and Manager of the Stephen Gallacher Foundation — about elite junior golf, team culture, and building pathways into the game.

Scott shares what it’s really like behind the scenes at the Junior Ryder Cup, from seeing world-class junior talent up close to helping select and support Team Europe players competing at Bethpage and Marco Simone. He explains the challenge of building a team, not just selecting the best individuals, and the unforgettable experiences young golfers get when they step into the Ryder Cup environment.

The conversation also explores Scott’s own playing journey — from never winning as a junior to becoming Scottish Golfer of the Year — and the lessons learned from competing alongside some of Scotland’s strongest amateur golfers of the era.

A major focus of the episode is the work of the Stephen Gallacher Foundation, where Scott helps introduce young players to golf through creative competition formats, coaching programmes, and events designed to build confidence, skills, and long-term love for the game. The foundation’s philosophy is simple: grow participation first, and performance will follow.

Topics covered in this episode:
• Inside the Junior Ryder Cup experience
• Selecting Team Europe players and building team chemistry
• The standard of elite junior golf today
• Scott’s amateur career and Scottish team experiences
• Balancing golf, work, and family life
• The cost of junior golf development
• The Stephen Gallacher Foundation pathway model
• Flag events and junior competition formats
• Long-term player development vs early performance
• Creating opportunities for young golfers

Stephen Gallacher Foundation
https://stephengallacherfoundation.com

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