Their Cup runneth over with pride

For some, the realization that the PGA Cup was not just another event for PGA Professionals came when they qualified for the team. But for others, the magnitude of participating in the premier international event for PGA Club Professionals hit when they saw their custom-made golf bag.

By T.J. Auclair, PGA.com Interactive Producer

In the world of sports, few things are more satisfying than representing your country.

From Sept. 18-20, 10 American PGA Club Professionals will do just that at The Carrick at De Vere Deluxe Golf Resort at Cameron House in Loch Lomond, Scotland, when they represent the United States against a team of 10 from Great Britain and Ireland in the 24th playing of the prestigious biennial PGA Cup.

"I'm very excited to represent my country," said Eric Lippert, a PGA Teaching Professional at Del Monte Golf Course in Monterey, Calif., who is making his PGA Cup debut. "There are very few times you can do that in life. I think that when the team golf bag arrived is when it really struck me how excited to represent the USA I am. I called my grandma immediately and we talked about how proud my grandfather would be. He was a World War II veteran. I can't wait to wave the flag and represent my country. I can't remember being so proud to be an American."

The U.S., which will be captained by PGA of America Honorary President Brian Whitcomb, is made up of four veterans and a whopping six rookies.

The veterans, who combine for a total of six PGA Cup appearances, are: Ryan Benzel (Teaching Professional at Battle Creek Golf Course in Tulalip, Wash.); Lee Rinker (Director of Golf at Emerald Dunes Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Fla.); Steve Schneiter (Assistant Professional at Schneiter's Pebblebrook Golf Links in Sandy, Utah); and Mike Small (Head coach of the University of Illinois men's golf team).

The six rookies are: Kyle Flinton (Head Professional at Quail Creek Golf and Country Club in Oklahoma City, Okla.); Scott Hebert (Head Professional at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Acme, Mich.); Lippert; Mark Sheftic (Teaching Professional at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa.); Sonny Skinner (Director of Golf at River Pointe Golf Club in Albany, Ga.); and Craig Thomas (Head Professional at Metropolis Country Club in White Plains, N.Y.).

Great Britain and Ireland, led by second-term captain Gary Aliss, will also field four veterans -- Andrew Barnett, Jon Bevan, Paul Simpson and six-time PGA Cup team member Paul Wesselingh -- and six rookies -- Will Barnes, Jamie Harris, James Lee, Craig Matheson, Jeremy Robinson and Barry Taylor.

The Americans head to Loch Lomond looking for their second consecutive PGA Cup victory following a 13 1/2-12 1/2 win at Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Ga., in 2007 and 16th triumph in the matches overall.

Benzel, Rinker and Small were all a part of that winning squad, and should have plenty of advice for the rookies.

"I think the fact that we're familiar with the process will help the new guys, but the best leadership we can bring as veterans is to play well and win matches," said Rinker, who was also a member of the winning U.S. team in 1992. "I think that will give everyone confidence."

Count Lippert as one of the rookies who couldn't be more excited about the opportunity on the horizon.

"I've been told that this will be the best golf experience of my life," said Lippert, who locked up a spot on the team after a tie for fourth at the PGA Professional National Championship in July. "This is our Ryder Cup. Out of 28,000 members, 10 of us get to play in this event. Making the PGA Championship is great and I would love to play every year. It's possible that this is even more special though. For example, it's only played every other year. You can only earn points at one tournament (PPNC) and that has to be a top-10 finish. Essentially I could finish 11th place every year at the PPNC, play in the PGA Championship every year, and never qualify to play in a PGA Cup. When you think of it that way, we should all consider ourselves extremely accomplished and be grateful for the opportunity."

Hebert, winner of the 2008 PGA Professional National Championship, said that like Lippert, it took something rather simple to understand the magnitude of playing for his country.

"This is my first appearance in a PGA Cup," he said. "Guys who have played in the past say it's an event of a lifetime. I never really thought about representing the United States until I received the golf bag in the mail. Then it really hit me that there is no sponsor or club company, instead, just Team USA.

"I look forward to playing in the team atmosphere," Hebert added. "It'll remind me of college when you're out there scratching to save every stroke to make sure your score counted and shooting the lowest team score." 

The PGA Cup experience is unforgettable. Take the 48-year-old Rinker, for example, who recalled a special moment he had the first time he competed in the matches 17 years ago.

"In 1992 I was playing a guy in singles," Rinker recalled. "We had played each other twice during the team play and had very good matches. I was down two with two to play and birdied the last two to half the match. We won by a few but it felt great to finish my match well."

Overall, the Americans have dominated the PGA Cup, which began at Pinehurst, N.C., in 1973, as an outgrowth of the PGA Professional National Championship, compiling a stellar record of 15-5-3 (the matches were played annually until 1984).

In order to bring the coveted Llandudno International Golf Trophy back to America, Rinker said that while the lopsided record might indicate otherwise, the U.S. has its work cut out. 

"I can tell you that the play on both sides is usually very good," Rinker said. "You have to bring it and make birdies. I played decent two years ago but lost most of my matches. You have to get up early and keep the pressure on. You cannot wait for the round to get going."