Scotland's Weir called upon again to captain GB&I in PGA Cup

Scotland's Russell Weir has received an early birthday present after accepting the challenge to serve as Captain of the Great Britain & Ireland PGA Cup team a second successive time.

Weir, who turns 61 on July 11, and is the joint record-holder for PGA Cup appearances, will have the chance to avenge a 17 1/2 to 8 1/2 defeat to the United States in 2011 at CordeValle in San Martin, Calif.

A native of Dunoon, Scotland, Weir will guide his team in the 26th PGA Cup at Northumberland's De Vere Slaley Hall from Sept. 20-22, 2013.

"I am absolutely over the moon and it's great to have another go to make up for last time," said Weir, the former PGA head professional at Cowal Golf Club. "It's another chance to get my hands on that trophy and to win it for the PGA. I still think about what happened last time and I have learned from that and will certainly use the experience gained."

Weir's appointment was given a unanimous seal of approval by the PGA Executive Committee.

PGA Chief Executive Sandy Jones said: "It was a unanimous view of our Executive Committee that Russell Weir should be given the opportunity to lead the Great Britain & Ireland PGA Cup team as captain at De Vere Slaley Hall.

"It is fitting that in the 40th anniversary since the commencement of the PGA Cup that Russell will again be involved for a fourth decade, having represented GB&I in the '80s and '90s, in 2000 and as Captain in 2011 which is a fantastic achievement.

"He led the team well in CordeValle and I am sure with the new team selection criteria will be working hard for us to regain the Llandudno Trophy for the first time since we won under Jim Farmer at The K Club in 2005."

Weir, who made eight successive appearances between 1986-2000 that netted him 15 wins, will be the first Captain to benefit from the changes in the 10-man team selection announced at the start of the year.

Under the new system, the GB&I Team will comprise the top six point scorers from the two counting Glenmuir PGA Professional Championships, the top three finishers at the Titleist PGA Playoffs in the year prior to the PGA Cup – which come this year, and a Captain's pick.

"It's an interesting change and will certainly mean a bit more traveling across the regions to see as many players as possible that could come into the reckoning as a pick," said Weir. "It certainly widens the scope to include players that might just miss out on the making the team."

De Vere Carden Park is Weir's first port of call as GB&I PGA Cup Captain with the venue hosting the 72-hole Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship from Aug. 7-10.

Weir, who was one of Scotland's most accomplished players in the 1980s and '90s, winning among many titles two Glenmuir PGA Championships. He becomes the fifth to Captain a GB&I PGA Cup Team twice.

About The PGA Cup
Originated in 1973 at Pinehurst (N.C.) Country Club, the PGA Cup is an outgrowth of the PGA Professional National Championship. Structured after the format of the Ryder Cup, with match-play competition between the U.S. and Europe, the PGA Cup today features a biennial competition matching 10-member teams representing the finest PGA club professionals from the United States and Great Britain & Ireland.