Bernard Gallacher: introduce more golf club defibrillators

Bernard Gallacher is planing to lead a campaign championing the widespread introduction of defibrillators on golf courses following his recovery from a sudden hearth arrhythmia

Bernard Gallacher: introduce more golf club defibrillators

Bernard Gallacher is planing to lead a campaign championing the widespread introduction of defibrillators on golf courses.

The Ryder Cup legend suffered a sudden heart arrhythmia during a corporate engagement in Aberdeen and was subsequently treated at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for 15 days.

Today, a statement was released on behalf of Bernard Gallacher:   "Whilst undertaking an engagement for a corporate client in Aberdeen, Bernard was taken ill and spent 15 days under the excellent care of medical staff in Aberdeen, seven days of which were in intensive care. Bernard went into cardiac arrest (commonly known as ‘Sudden Death Syndrome') on three occasions following irregular heart activity in the days preceding the incident. Thanks to the composed and quick thinking of staff and guests at the engagement, as well as quick access to a defibrillator, Bernard is now on his way to making a full recovery with no long term effects expected.   The availability of a defibrillator was central in giving Bernard a chance of survival and along with his wife Lesley and the support of the PGA and European Tour, he will be championing a campaign to make defibrillators widely accessible at golf courses around the UK.   The support and well-wishes received throughout Bernard's time in hospital and since returning home have been incredible, and Bernard would like to pass his sincere thanks to his sponsors and supporters for their kind words, thoughts and prayers.   Bernard will not be undertaking any additional corporate engagements in 2013 but with a home Ryder Cup to look forward to in 2014, will be busy supporting the European Team and recounting his Ryder Cup experiences throughout next year."

Nick Bonfield
Content Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, commissioning and feature writing. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x