U.S. needs no pep talks after '05 'wake-up call'

After suffering a surprising defeat in Ireland two years ago, Team USA is ready to start another win streak against Great Britain & Ireland. "I can assure you that those of us returning to the team this year will not need a pep talk to get motivated," U.S. veteran Tim Thelen said.

By Bob Denney, The PGA of America

For 21 years, America enjoyed a PGA Cup victory streak against Great Britain & Ireland that almost gave the impression that the Llandudno International Trophy was really U.S. hardware disguised with a Welsh surname.

All of that changed on a cold September evening in 2005 at The K Club in Straffan, Ireland, as the final singles match on the Smurfit Course was completed. Great Britain & Ireland had sealed a stunning 15-11 victory. Bagpipes serenaded the victors at sunset, toasts were overflowing and U.S. PGA Golf Professionals were left pondering how they had lost their grip on the 18-pound trophy.

The PGA Cup, the premier international event for PGA Golf Professionals, has one constant for all competitors -- those fortunate to compete again in two years have the opportunity to atone for past miscues.

The 23rd PGA Cup renews this special Ryder Cup-style competition between nations Sept. 21-23, on The Oconee Course at Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Ga.

Though the U.S. enjoyed eight victories and one draw from 1984 through 2005, Great Britain & Ireland's breakthrough victory opened a new and more compelling chapter.

"What happened in '05 was a big wake-up call," says Tim Thelen of College Station, Texas, a two-time PGA Professional National Champion who will be making his fourth consecutive PGA Cup appearance. "I can assure you that those of us returning to the team this year will not need a pep talk to get motivated."

Thelen leads a talented, veteran trio at the heart the 10-player U.S. Team, including 2005 PGA Professional National Champion Mike Small of Champaign, Ill., and 2006 National Champion Ron Philo Jr. of Amelia Island, Fla.

"My goal this summer was to make the PGA Cup Team," says Small, who shared runner-up honors in June's National Championship at Sunriver Resort in Oregon and was Low PGA Professional at last month's PGA Championship. "I was pretty bummed out about the way I played and what happened to us over there (in Ireland). This event may not be as well-known, and isn't on [live] TV, but it is a very big deal to those of us who play in it. Two things I know that we have to do: We've got to putt well and finish well.

"What I noticed in my first time on the team was that we need to get more comfortable in alternate shot. That is a style of play that is played a lot in Europe. The first time I played it in my life was in Ireland. We have to make up some points there. And, playing alternate shot is something that relates on a personal basis and a golf basis. Both players are trying their hardest and being supportive. You feel worse missing a shot for someone else than you do for yourself."

Philo, who like Small garnered one point in the 2005 PGA Cup, received an exemption into the final qualifying stage of the 2007 British Open in Montrose, Scotland. Though he failed to make the final cut, Philo competed alongside Scotland's Fraser Mann, who was a key member of the 2005 GB&I PGA Cup Team.

"We are all a part of an industry which is about relationship-building," says Philo. "The PGA Cup is a great opportunity to build relationships across the Atlantic. Playing with Fraser Mann enhanced my entire experience over there. I can tell you that nothing has diminished for me or anyone on the team. We want to win this time. As we found two years ago, they (Great Britain & Ireland) may have more rookies, but they are extra-strong players."

That is the kind of spirit that excites U.S. Captain Roger Warren, The PGA of America honorary president and president of Kiawah Island (S.C.) Golf Resort.

"I like the makeup of this team," says Warren. "We have the right blend of experience, and our guys are playing in their Section's in top events. I expect the veterans will help the rookies understand what to expect. I am very pleased with the players we have and they will work hard to bring back the Cup. We have not had it out of our possession for 21 years, and that is all the motivation anyone will need."

The Oconee Course at Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Ga., an acclaimed Rees Jones design that is part of one of the country's premier resort venues, has been preparing for the PGA Cup, as well as hosting the 41st PGA Professional National Championship in June 2008.

"We're excited about the opportunity to host teams representing our country's best PGA Golf Professionals and those from Great Britain & Ireland," says Reynolds Plantation PGA Director of Golf Bob Mauragas. "It is a real perk to have had Rees Jones design this course. There are some holes that are excellent for match play. I expect that we will see many matches that won't be decided until the final few holes."

The PGA Cup, which matches 10- member teams from both sides of the Atlantic, has undergone its share of format changes through the years. The U.S. holds a 14-5-3 advantage, and this year's American unit was determined by a points system spanning two years of the National Championship.

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.

"It is our opportunity to make real history," says Great Britain & Ireland Captain Gary Alliss, head professional at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield, England. "I have spoken to the team after our PGA Club Professional Championship (in June) and we will get together again (in August) at The Belfry for a match involving seven of our players. They are very excited about coming to America. We all got to see the replay of the PGA Professional National Championship on the Golf Channel. It gave us a chance to see who will be facing."

Alliss, son of former Ryder Cup player and legendary BBC announcer Peter Alliss, did his homework for his team. He played The Oconee Course twice in June, and brought home yardage books and other notes.

"I found the course to be an incredibly fair test," says Alliss. "It has some resemblance to old English inland courses. I've made my notes and will share with the team."

The Oconee Course is named after the lake that serves as the centerpiece of the Reynolds Plantation. It made its debut in 2002 and immediately displayed its versatility in being selected among the "10 Best New Upscale Courses" by Golf Digest, and garnered a No. 5 ranking for Golf For Women's "50 Best Courses for Women." The course is part of a community that features a 251-room Ritz-Carlton Lodge that also opened in 2002.

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 will play to 7,364 yards. The lake comes into play on five holes, and additional water hazards affect four other holes. Oconee's distinguishing feature is its quartet of par- 3 holes, ranging from 171 to 211 yards, which feature elevated tee shots and numerous water hazards.

The U.S. Team was determined following June's PGA Professional National Championship. Thelen, Philo and Small form the veteran core of the team, and are joined by reigning Professional National Champion Chip Sullivan of Troutville, Va., 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; 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.

Rinker has the only other previous Cup experience, competing in 1992.

The Great Britain & Ireland team was determined 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, guide the team. Wesselingh, 45, is making his fifth Cup appearance and Dwyer, 34, has earned his third trip.

"The PGA Cup is something I have looked forward to for two years, and what a great trip it is," says Wesselingh. "In 2005, we were such a strong team. It just jelled for us. We could have played with anyone and it would have been right. It was that week for us. It was cool and windy and that is weather that suits us. We were on fire."

Wesselingh, who posted an impressive 4-1-0 record two years ago, and Dwyer, 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, Padova, 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.

Perhaps the impression of how much the PGA Cup means to its participants is best reserved for Sandy Jones, chief executive of The Professional Golfers' Association of Great Britain & Ireland, someone who has attended all but one PGA Cup since 1983.

"For the PGA Golf Professional, who has worked hard and serviced his members so well, the opportunity to represent your country is a truly special lifetime experience," says Jones. "When the anthems are played and the flags go up, you can feel the hair rising from the back of your neck. At that moment, you realize that it is a competition that is different from anything else in which you have been involved. I feel that I know what this competition means for the 10 players on each side. They are teachers, merchandisers and businessmen. Yet, for three days, they play the best that they can play and they don't want to let their colleagues down."

Bob Denney is The PGA of America's senior association writer. This story appears courtesy of PGA Magazine.