Scotland’s Russell Weir received an early birthday present after accepting the challenge to captain the Great Britain and Ireland PGA Cup team for a second successive time.
Weir, who turns 61 this week and is the joint record holder for PGA Cup appearances, will have the chance to avenge the 17.5-8.5 defeat inflicted upon his side by the United States at Corde Valle last year.
On taking up the challenge to skipper the side in the 26th PGA Cup match at Northumberland’s De Vere Slaley Hall from September 20-22 in 2013, Weir, from Dunoon and the former head PGA professional at Cowal Golf Club, said: “I am absolutely over the moon and it’s great to have another go to make up for last time.
“It’s another chance to get my hands on that trophy and to win it for the PGA. I still think about what happened last time and I have learned from that and will certainly use the experience gained.”
Weir’s appointment was given a unanimous seal of approval by the PGA Executive Committee.
PGA chief executive Sandy Jones said: “It was a unanimous view of our Executive Committee that Russell Weir should be given the opportunity to lead the Great Britain & Ireland PGA Cup team as captain at De Vere Slaley Hall in 2013.
“It is fitting that in the 40th anniversary since the commencement of the PGA Cup matches that Russell will again be involved for a fourth decade, having represented GB&I in the 80s and 90s, in 2000 and as captain in 2011 which is a fantastic achievement.
“He led the team well in Corde Valle and I am sure with the new team selection criteria will be working hard for us to regain the Llandudno Trophy for the first time since we won under Jim Farmer at The K Club in 2005.”
Weir, who made eight successive appearances between 1986-2000 that netted him 15 wins, will be the first captain to benefit from the changes in the 10-man team selection announced at the start of the year.
Under the new system, the GB& I PGA Cup team will comprise the top six point scorers from the two counting Glenmuir PGA Professional Championships, the top three finishers at the Titleist PGA Play-Offs in the year prior to the PGA Cup – thus, this year, and a captain’s pick.
Reflecting on the changes, which will give more members the opportunity to qualify and in turn strengthen the side, Weir said: “It’s an interesting change and will certainly mean a bit more travelling across the regions to see as many players as possible that could come into the reckoning as a pick. It certainly widens the scope to include players that might just miss out on the making the team.”
De Vere Carden Park is Weir’s first port of call as GB&I PGA Cup captain with the venue hosting the 72-hole Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship from August 7-10.
Weir, who was one of Scotland’s most accomplished players in the 1980s and 90s winning a raft of titles including two Glenmuir championships, becomes only the fifth man to captain the side twice.
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Image attached of the 2013 GB&I PGA Cup team captain Russell Weir courtesy of Scott Halleran at Getty Images…/