Sullivan leads 10 players onto U.S. PGA Cup team

The 2007 U.S. PGA Cup Team was finalized at the conclusion of play on Sunday. The 10 PGA Professionals who made the squad will face Great Britain-Ireland in the 22nd PGA Cup in September at Reynolds Plantation in Georgia.

By Bob Denney, PGA of America Staff

SUNRIVER, Ore. -- PGA Professional National Champion Chip Sullivan of Troutville, Va., will head a 10-member United States Team that will face Great Britain & Ireland, Sept. 21-23, in the 22nd PGA Cup at The Oconee Course at Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Ga.

The U.S. Team was determined following play Sunday in the 40th PGA Professional National Championship at Crosswater Golf Club in Sunriver, Ore. For the first time, the U.S. Team was determined based on a two-year point system that included a player's performance in the 2006 and 2007 National Championships.

Joining Sullivan on the U.S. Team (in order of the final point standings) are: Mike Small of Champaign, Ill., head men's golf coach of the University of Illinois; Ron Philo Jr. of Amelia Island, Fla., representing Hudson National Golf Club of Croton on Hudson, N.Y., and Sugarbush Resort of Warren, Vt.; Ryan Benzel of Bothell, Wash., representing Seattle (Wash.) Golf Club; Alan Schulte of Fishers, Ind., representing Hawthorns Club of Fishers, Ind.; Butch Sheehan of Rancho Mirage, Calif., representing Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage; Tim Thelen of College Station, Texas, representing Traditions Golf Club, Bryan, Texas; Lee Rinker of Jupiter, Fla., representing Emerald Dunes Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Fla.; Don Yrene of Scottsdale, Ariz., representing The Golf Club of Scottsdale; and Chris Starkjohann of Cardiff by the Sea, Calif., representing Hodges Golf Learning Center of Escondido, Calif.

The Oconee Course, one of the country's premier resort venues and an acclaimed Rees Jones design, will serve as the site for the premier international competition for PGA Professionals.

Marking its first appearance in Georgia, 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. In 2005, the U.S. suffered its first defeat since 1984, a 15-11 decision at The K Club in Straffan, 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 14-4-3 overall record.

"The PGA Cup is a one-of-a-kind event for a PGA Professional, and we are fortunate to be playing this event at a tremendous site that will test players on both teams," said PGA of America Honorary President Roger Warren, who will captain the U.S. Team. "We face a talented GB&I Team in September, and we will focus all our efforts in bringing the Llandudno Trophy back to America."

The Americans will face a Great Britain & Ireland team Captained by Gary Alliss of The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield, England. The GB&I Team was selected June 22, following the Glenmuir Club Professional Championship at Royal Porthcawl, England.

Veterans Paul Wesselingh of Derby, England, and Glenmuir PGA Club Professional Champion John Dwyer of County Meath, Ireland, will guide the GB&I Team. Wesselingh, 45, is making his fifth Cup appearance and Dwyer, 34, has earned his third trip.

They are joined by eight rookies: Andrew Barnett, North Wales Golf Range, Clwyd, Wales; John Bevan, Wessex Golf Centre, Weymouth, England; Craig Goodfellow, Carlisle Driving Range, Cumbria, England; Duncan Muscroft, Montecchia Golf Club, Veneto, Italy; Michael Nesbit, Westerhope Golf Club, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England; George Ryall, Players Club, Bristol, England; Danny Taylor, Swingers Golf Range, Lichfield, England; and James Whatley, Morley Hayes Golf Club, Ilkeston, England.

The Oconee Course, named after the lake that serves as the centerpiece of the Reynolds Plantation, made its debut in 2002 and immediately displayed its versatility in being selected among the "Ten Best New Upscale Courses" by Golf Digest and garnered a No. 5 ranking for Golf For Women's "50 Best Courses for Women."

Oconee, which carries a double meaning by the Cherokee for "Water Eyes of the Hills" or "Place of the Springs," is aptly titled for a championship course that may extend to more than 7,100 yards. The famed lake comes into play on five holes, and additional water hazards affecting four other holes. The Oconee Course's distinguishing feature is its quartet of par-3 holes, ranging from 171 to 231 yards, which feature elevated tee shots and numerous water hazards.

The 2007 United States PGA Cup Team (final point standings):