Great Britain & Ireland PGA Cup captain Russell Weir admits he’s already dreaming of California after a flying visit to CordeValle – host venue of the 25th PGA Cup. The Scot, head PGA professional at Cowal Golf Club, grabbed his first glimpse of the Robert Trent Jones Jnr designed course during a whistle-stop visit and immediately hailed it as a classic risk and reward challenge.
Weir, who played in the biennial contest against the PGA of America a record eight times, is attempting to become the first GB&I captain to win on United States soil since the inception of the competition back in 1973.
The US are current holders of the Llandudno Trophy following victory at The Carrick on Loch Lomond in 2009.
During the Californian trip, Weir played the course, to get a feel for the test facing his GB&I team when they lock horns in the Ryder Cup-style contest from September 16-18.
“I thought the course was magnificent and it’s going to be a great venue for the PGA Cup,” said Weir. “It’s a well-designed golf course which Robert Trent Jones reckons is the best he has ever done and I can see why.
“It’s very playable, everything is there in front of you. The greens have gentle slopes, not particularly quick but that might change by September.Positional play will be key though, it’s not as if you can drive over all the trouble, you have to be able to manoeuvre your ball around the course. Every shot is demanding, and with the approach shots you have to get the right side of the pin.”
He added: “All in all, it’s a tremendous match play challenge and I don’t think the players will be disappointed, I think they will really enjoy it. The 18th has water guarding the front of the green and if you get far enough down, it’s one which will tempt a few. It’s a classic risk and reward hole, and that’s a good way to describe the course.”
The CordeValle resort is now a fixture on the US PGA Tour having hosted last year’s Frys.com Open. The 2011 tournament follows two weeks after the conclusion of the PGA Cup.
The 10-man GB&I PGA Cup team to face the US will be finalised at the conclusion of the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship supported by Peugeot which is being staged at The Belfry’s PGA National Course from June 14-17.
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