Slaley Hall will see Great Britain & Ireland’s best PGA professionals take on their United States counterparts after it was confirmed as the venue for the 2013 PGA Cup.
The biennial contest has become the premier international team event for PGA pros with the US current holders of the trophy after victory at The Carrick on Loch Lomond last September.
De Vere’s Northumberland resort already enjoys a strong reputation for hosting international golf tournaments with the Dave Thomas-designed Hunting Course currently home to the De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship. It has also staged several European Tour events.
PGA chief executive Sandy Jones said: “Slaley Hall is not only a tremendous setting but the Hunting Course is perfect for the unique match play atmosphere created as GB&I and the US compete for the Llandudno Trophy.
“Representing your country is one of the biggest honours for a PGA professional and I’m sure by staging the event at such a renowned venue as Slaley Hall, it will help raise the profile of the PGA Cup which might not be as well-known as the Ryder Cup but matches it every step of the way for drama and excitement.”
Daniel Hodson, director of golf and leisure for De Vere, commented: “The 2009 PGA Cup at The Carrick on Loch Lomond was a tremendous event and we are delighted to host the PGA Cup when it next returns to the UK.
“Slaley Hall has an illustrious history of hosting top-class golf, and the 2013 PGA Cup along with the continued support for the De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship continues to enhance the resort’s reputation as one of the UK’s leading venues.”
Prior to Slaley Hall, GB& I will have a chance to reclaim the PGA Cup in 2011 when the 25th matches take place at California’s CordeValle resort.
The PGA Cup was first played in 1973 at Pinehurst No.2 and pits two ten-man teams against each other in matchplay format of fourballs, foursomes and singles over three days of action.
The countries compete for the famous Llandudno Trophy which was the original prize for the Home International Series before the Second World War and was later donated to the PGA by the BBC’s voice of golf Peter Alliss.
Slaley Hall is the latest in a long line of illustrious venues to have staged the PGA Cup with others including Gleneagles, The Belfry, Muirfield, The K Club and Turnberry.
PGA Cup www.PGACup.com
De Vere Slaley Hall www.devere.co.uk/our-locations/slaley-hall/golf.html