DJ Russell will bring a wealth of experience to the PGA Cup captaincy role after being named as the man to lead Great Britain & Ireland in the 30th PGA Cup clash against the United States in 2022.
Russell, 66, joined The PGA in 1973, working for Sir Henry Cotton at Penina Hotel & Golf Resort in Portugal. On returning to the UK, he became an Assistant at Derby’s Kedleston Park Golf Club.
Birmingham-born Russell had aspirations of pursuing a playing career and after passing his PGA exams in 1975 at Lilleshall, he went on to enjoy 21 years on the European Tour, winning three times.
After returning to Kedleston Park in 1996, Russell spent five happy years as the club’s head professional. He currently runs a golf course design and consultancy business in partnership with his close friend and former Ryder Cup player and captain Ian Woosnam.
Russell has been tasked with winning back the Llandudno Trophy following last year’s narrow defeat in Austin, Texas, which saw the United States produce a remarkable comeback on the final day to win a hard-fought contest 14-12 at Barton Creek Resort.
“It gives me great pleasure to be offered the role of Captain of the Great Britain & Ireland PGA Cup team,” said Russell, who also played on the European Senior Tour. “I was fortunate to have been involved in the backroom staff at four Ryder Cups with Bernard Gallacher, Seve Ballesteros, Sam Torrance and Bernhard Langer. I was also Assistant Captain at The K Club to Ian Woosnam, so I feel that I will bring a wealth of experience to my role as Captain in 2022.
“It is always a tough match to beat the PGA of America but home advantage at the wonderful Foxhills Club & Resort will hopefully work in our favour. I’m looking forward to the match – may the best team win.”
The 2022 PGA Cup will be played once again at Foxhills Club & Resort in Surrey, scene of Great Britain & Ireland’s triumph back in 2017. Scotsman Albert MacKenzie led the home side to an emphatic 16-10 victory over the United States, Great Britain & Ireland’s first win at a UK venue in the competition since 1984.
Foxhills becomes only the second Great Britain & Ireland home venue in the PGA Cup’s 47-year history to be chosen to host an event twice, following the lead of 2006 Ryder Cup host venue in the K Club in Ireland (1992, 2005).
Marc Hayton, Managing Director of Foxhills Club & Resort, commented: “Being selected to host the PGA Cup once is an honour, to be chosen twice is a responsibility and one we relish. The event went exceptionally well in 2017. We established that the players and delegates loved the intimate nature of the event. We used all areas of the business and all facilities to make the players feel at home for the week, and our staff got to know the players on first name terms. We will strive to do this again and hope that we can surprise and delight the players a little with some added attention to detail.”
Robert Maxfield, Chief Executive of The PGA, added: “I am delighted to announce DJ Russell as Captain of Great Britain & Ireland for the next PGA Cup clash in 2022. DJ’s experience both as a player on the European Tour and part of the backroom staff at four Ryder Cups make him the perfect candidate to lead Great Britain & Ireland at Foxhills Club & Resort.
“Everyone involved with the PGA Cup in 2017 continues to look back on that week with very fond memories and I am certain Foxhills Club & Resort will once again prove to be the ideal venue to showcase the talents of both sets of players from either side of the Atlantic.
“Last year we witnessed one of the most memorable PGA Cup matches in Austin, Texas. Under DJ’s leadership, I’m sure we’re in for another memorable clash at Foxhills Club & Resort as we look to regain the Llandudno International Trophy.”
