SCOT MATHESON RELISHES PGA CUP TEST

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE PGA
Craig Matheson’s broad shoulders will carry the weight of a nation as Scotland’s only representative in this year’s PGA Cup – which returns to the home of golf for the first time since 1996.
The self-taught Falkirk Tryst professional, who at 26 is the youngest member of Gary Alliss’ 10-man Great Britain & Ireland team, has admitted that the forthcoming match against the USA at The Carrick on Loch Lomond between September 18-20, will be an entirely new experience compared to events on the Tartan Tour.
“I’m really excited about this as it’s the biggest tournament I’ve played in by a mile,” said the Tartan Tour regular.
“Being the only Scot in the team and because I don’t really know the other guys I’m kind of nervous too. I guess I am the carrying the flag of Scotland, but I’ve never seen it as that, I just think of us as GB&I.
“As it is in Scotland I’m hoping there will be a wee crowd. I know a few people from my golf club are getting a bus to come and cheer me on which is great because the only other time a few people have come along is at Open qualifying so that will be exciting.”
The PGA Cup – based on a Ryder Cup style format of foursomes, fourballs and singles - is the most prestigious event for PGA professionals on both sides of the Atlantic and it dates back to 1973.
Matheson booked his place in the side after finishing in a share of fifth place at this year’s Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship at Dundonald Links back in June.GB&I has enjoyed some of its finer moments in the tournament on Scottish soil, having twice won the tournament in 1983 & 84 and halving it on its last visit at Gleneagles.
That record bodes well as the team bid to win back the Llandudno Trophy they saw slip from their grasp in Georgia, USA, two years ago. That side, which was also skippered by Alliss, went down 13.5 to 12.5, when a draw would have seen them retain the trophy.Matheson, who is one of six PGA Cup ‘rookies’ in the team, is relishing a return to matchplay and the ensuing battle against the Americans.
“I’ve not played matchplay since I was an amateur, which was a few years ago, so it’ll be exciting to play it as it’s essentially a new format,” he said. “There’s a chance to be aggressive when you can., so I’m looking forward to that.”Ahead of making his bow, Matheson has also received plenty of encouragement from his fellow Tartan Tour pros – including one member of the victorious 2005 GB&I side which regained the trophy at The K Club after a 21 year gap.“
After qualifying there was a lot of interest and guys congratulating me and wishing me well,” said Matheson.“Fraser Mann, who played on the winning PGA Cup team in 2005, has been really good. He said any help I need or advice, just give him a shout. I really appreciated that, especially from a guy that’s gone and done it.”The 2009 team also includes Jeremy Robinson who was a former Walker Cup team-mate of Colin Montgomerie in 1987.
The full GB&I team is: captain Gary Alliss (The Belfry), Andrew Barnett (North Wales Driving Range), Jon Bevan (Wessex Golf Centre), Will Barnes (Garstang G&CC), Jamie Harris (Nevill Golf Club), James Lee (Caerphilly), Craig Matheson (Falkirk & Tryst), Jeremy Robinson (Twyford), Paul Simpson (West Berkshire), Barry Taylor (Houghwood) and Paul Wesselingh (Kedleston Park).