Lossiemouth loon MacKenzie to captain GB 

and I in next year's PGA Cup match v USA

Albert MacKenzie in action in the recent Aberdeen Senior Masters at Meldrum    House. Picture by Cal Carson Agency.

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Lossiemouth-born and bred senior pro golfer Albert MacKenzie has been named as the PGA Cup team captain for Great Britain and Ireland’s defence of the Llandudno Trophy against the United States next year.

The Saunton Golf Club, North Devon  head PGA Professional was a vice captain to Jon Bevan in GB and I’s historic triumph at CordeValle in 2015, their first victory on the other side of the Atlantic.

MacKenzie, who played in the recent Aberdeen Senior Masters at Meldrum, House. is passionate about the biennial contest and several times came close to qualifying for the team as a player – the nearest when he lost out in a play-off for a spot at Woodhall Spa in 2005.

He described the invitation to captain the PGA Cup team as the highlight of his competitive professional career.

The Scot takes the reins at a high point for GB and I who staged a magnificent Sunday singles fightback to tie the matches at Slaley Hall in 2013 before going one better with victory in California last year.

“Ever since agonisingly missing out on selection for the team at Carnoustie in 1990, my quest to play some part in the PGA Cup has perpetually energised and driven my tournament golf and has kept me competitive to this day,” said MacKenzie.

“Despite finishing fifth in our PGA Professional Championship in 2004 at Southport  and Ainsdale, and seventh at Prince’s in 2006, losing in a play-off to get into the team after the 2005 championship at Woodhall Spa, was, to date, my closest moment.

“The phone call from Jon Bevan in September 2014, offering me the opportunity to be his vice-captain, was emotional to say the least.

“I did not realise at that juncture that it was going to be the most incredible journey I would become blessed to experience, the build-up too, and the matches at CordeValle, reaching levels I barely knew existed.

“Winning in America was history in the making.

“I have learned and taken much from CordeValle - the two captains being a shining example to us all.

“My goal now is to create history once more by successfully defending the PGA Cup after winning in America.

“I am beyond privileged to represent our wonderful Association as Captain of the 2017 PGA Cup team and I will endeavour to ensure that the underside of every stone gets bathed in daylight, in our quest to retain the Llandudno Trophy.”

PGA chief executive Sandy Jones, also a Scot, added: “Albert is hugely passionate about the PGA Cup as many of our captains have been over the history of the matches.

“Since we amended the qualifying process for the team, the last two matches have proved to be exciting down to the wire with us halving one and succeeding with the final putt at CordeValle giving us our first ever victory in America.

“Jon Bevan made history as the first captain to succeed in America, setting the bar at a high level and I know that Albert who was Jon’s vice-captain, will take inspiration from that experience and have total desire and focus to successfully retain the Llandudno Trophy.”