NoCal's Celebrated CordeValle Selected to Host the 2011 PGA Cup

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- CordeValle, one of Northern California's celebrated resort destinations and featuring what renowned golf architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. calls perhaps the finest creation of his career, has been selected to host the 25th PGA Cup, the premier international showcase for PGA Professionals, Sept. 16-18, 2011.

CordeValle, which opened in 1999 and lies some 45 minutes north of Pebble Beach, will become the first West Coast venue since 1977 to host a PGA Cup -- a Ryder Cup-style competition that brings together the finest PGA Professionals from the United States and Great Britain & Ireland.

The site selection comes as the 24th PGA Cup is being contested this weekend, Sept. 18-20, at The Carrick at The DeVere Deluxe Resort in Loch Lomond, Scotland.

"The PGA Cup is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for a PGA Professional," said PGA of America President Jim Remy, who will serve as U.S. Captain in 2011. "For more than 36 years, the PGA Cup has attracted players on both sides of the Atlantic in compelling competition which highlights the talents of club professionals. We are very excited about taking the PGA Cup to CordeValle, which is a magnificent setting to match the best players of our Association and those of Great Britain and Ireland."

CordeValle's par-72, 7,169-yard layout will become only the second site on the West Coast to host a PGA Cup, following the competition held in 1977 in Palm Springs, Calif., when the U.S. and Great Britain & Ireland dueled to an 8˝ to 8˝ draw.

"CordeValle is privileged to have been selected by The PGA of America to serve as the host site for the 25th PGA Cup," said Alan Campey, managing director of CordeValle. "Having the honor to host this event is a true testament to the commitment we have made to provide a world-class golf experience."

CordeValle PGA Director of Golf Travis Skeesick said the PGA Cup will enhance the venue's profile.

"We are excited that The PGA of America has chosen CordeValle. This is an extraordinary opportunity to offer our golf course to the world stage," said Skeesick. "The venue will be a terrific test for the competitors."

CordeValle, derived from the Spanish phrase, "El Corazon del Valle" -- "Heart of the Valley" -- has served as the site of three U.S. Open Qualifying (2001, '05, '08) and two U.S. Amateur Qualifying (2003, '06) Tournaments. Since 2005, the course has been the site of the CordeValle Collegiate.

Jones designed CordeValle at the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. It is a 270-acre course within a 1,700-acre preserve, featuring an organic blend of natural and man-made obstacles from meandering creeks to sand bunkers, and from sycamore trees to strategically-place tees.

"The location had so many great possibilities that it was difficult to decide which to choose," said Jones. "CordeValle is one of those pure 'core golf' experiences. It is perhaps my finest golf course creation."

Begun in 1973 at Pinehurst, N.C., The PGA Cup is structured after the Ryder Cup and brings together 10-member teams of The PGA of America's professionals facing a 10-member team from Great Britain & Ireland.

Since the PGA Cup originated in 1973 as an outgrowth of the PGA Professional National Championship, the United States has never been defeated on home soil, and owns a 15-5-3 overall record.