The 2022 PGA Cup at Foxhills Club & Resort will be very much a family affair for the Russells after Great Britain & Ireland Captain DJ Russell announced son, Chris, as his Vice Captain for the eagerly anticipated matches against America.
Great Britain and Ireland will be looking to claim back the Llandudno Trophy at the 30th staging of the PGA Cup matches at Foxhills in Surrey from 16-18th September 2022.
Chris brings a wealth of experience to the role, both on and off the course. The former England Boys and Youth Amateur player has worked as a PGA Professional for two decades at a number of high-profile golf clubs, including Gullane, Dunbar, Roehampton and Royal Wimbledon.
In 2019, Chris became the operations manager at Coombe Hill before joining Sandwell Park as their new general manager last year.
As a player, the 39-year-old has enjoyed success at regional level, with his biggest triumph coming in 2009 when he qualified for the Jonnie Walker Championship, a former European Tour event.
Chris has also showed his hand at caddying, having been on the bag for DJ for two of his Senior Tour victories – the PGA Seniors at Slaley Hall (2010) and the Fuji Japanese Seniors (2011). He also caddied for Ian Woosnam in the 2010 Masters at Augusta.
“I am delighted to be named Vice Captain for the Great Britain & Ireland team for the 2022 PGA Cup,” said Chris. “This is a special honour and a special family moment to be honest. With all his close friends in the game, I was surprised to get the call, but I will give it my utmost for the captain and the team.
“I expect to be very busy at Foxhills! I’ll be there in equal measure for both DJ and the boys, nothing but support and delivering on any requests they have from me. I’ll try and be a strong sounding board for the captain and the team.
“I’ll be an extra pair of eyes and ears really, the Captain has got a big responsibility and any support I can give to help in decision making will help ease the workload.
“With the lads, we both want them to have one of the greatest memories of their professional lives so ensuring they all feel in the right place to perform and get everything out of the week.”
Asked what qualities Chris will bring to the Vice-Captaincy role, he continued: “Both myself and the captain understand what a golfer requires to perform at their highest level and also that each individual will prepare differently. We’ll certainly tap into that so that it’s not a one size fits all style of captaincy.
“Having control of your emotions is huge in matchplay, we will set the tone for this with the guys.”
Commenting on the appointment, DJ Russell said: “The 2022 PGA Cup matches are a wonderful opportunity for Chris and I to work closely together with the Great Britain & Ireland team.
“Chris has spent a lifetime in golf, he knows and will be respected by many of the PGA Cup players in this year’s team. Between us, we have a wealth of experience that will hopefully aid a successful 2022 PGA Cup campaign.”
Robert Maxfield, chief executive of The PGA, added: “I am delighted with DJ Russell’s choice to bring in Chris as his Vice-Captain for the 2022 PGA Cup.
“Chris has enjoyed a hugely successful career in golf in a variety of roles across two decades as a PGA Professional. His skillset and knowledge of the game, as well as pedigree as a player, will be invaluable to the Great Britain & Ireland team throughout the week at Foxhills in September.
“I look forward to the 30th staging of The PGA Cup and its exciting build up throughout the year as the Great Britain & Ireland team is finalised.”
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