Barham up for US challenge

Former Challenge Tour winner Benn Barham has secured a place in the prestigious Great Britain & Ireland PGA Cup team to take on their American counterparts in September.

The PGA Professional based at Kings Hill Golf Club in Kent is just one of 10 players from these shores competing in the biennial event, which is the club professional equivalent of the Ryder Cup.

Barham booked his place in the team, which will be captained by Scotland’s Russell Weir for the second successive time, after finishing third at last month’s Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship at De Vere Slaley Hall, Northumberland, which will also host the PGA Cup.

The 37-year-old, who had a run of five successive years on the European Tour from 2006, is relishing the contest which will see the two nations compete over three days for the Llandudno Trophy which dates back to before the Second World War.

Barham battled through the pain of back spasm on the final day of the championship, such was his determination to make the side.

“All week I was really motivated to get in the team and I’m really pleased I did it,” said Barham, whose career highlights include finishing runner-up at the 2009 Austrian Open.

“Playing the Tour regularly is about individual achievements and disappointments and this isn’t.

“I’ve never really played team golf and I’ve envied players that have played in the Ryder Cup and those that have been involved in team scenarios so I am really looking forward to it.

“It’s a great golf course at Slaley. It’s really interesting as you have to think your way round. In match play it’s going to be a fantastic event.

“I really wanted to play PGA Cup, as I’ve never played it before and it looks like a fun thing to be involved in.

“I think looking at the guys during the tournament we’ve got a really strong team and some fantastic players. If we can give it a shot and win that would be really nice.”

Joining Barham in the team are new Glenmuir champion Dan Greenwood (Forest Pines), David Callaway (Milford), Graham Fox (Clydeway Golf), Jonathan Barnes (Ampfield Par 3), Nick Brennan (Bowood), Richard Wallis (Walmer & Kingsdown), Scott Henderson (Kings Links) Gareth Wright (West Linton), and captain’s pick Greig Hutcheon (Banchory).

Weir, who played in eight PGA Cups and is the second highest GB&I points scorer, said: “We have a very strong team and I’m looking forward to seeing them all. It’ll be a great week and a tough week.

“The Americans always have a strong team but I believe we have one too. We’re looking forward to coming back to Slaley Hall in September to take on the might of the USA.”

This will be the 26th PGA Cup Match with it first competed for in 1973.