PGA Captain-elect Sarah Bennett to lead WPGA Cup team

05/11/2021

Sarah Bennett will experience captaincy from a different perspective during her term as PGA Captain by leading the Great Britain and Ireland team in next year’s WPGA Cup.

Bennett will succeed Bernard Gallacher as PGA Captain in April and has been appointed captain of the five-strong team that will contest the WPGA Cup in the USA in the autumn.

Commenting on her appointment, Bennett said: “Captaining the WPGA Cup team is a huge honour at the best of times – that it coincides with my year as PGA Captain makes it extra special.

“Obviously they are very different roles; I will be working as hard as possible to make a success of both positions.”

Bennett has already deputised for Gallacher since being appointed PGA Captain-elect and will be well into her year of office when the WPGA Cup is played in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Team-captaincy, however, will be a new experience for the 53-year-old but she has already sought advice from Gallacher, a three-time Ryder Cup captain.

“We played golf at Wentworth a couple of weeks back which was a real treat and I hope to return the invitation in the near future,” she said.

“I will also be in attendance at the PGA Cup at Foxhills in September within an official capacity as PGA Captain, so I will use the experience to add the finishing touches to our preparation.”

Looking ahead to the match itself, Bennett added: “This is a tremendous event for our membership and wonderful for the development of the WPGA and the women’s professional game worldwide.

“I can’t wait to support our team and work with them before and during this exciting event.

“And, as well as being the first time I’ve captained the team, it may well be a new experience for some of the players.

“I am sure the course set-up will be longer and there will be different grass to contend with. But we will have a strong, passionate and committed team - we’re certainly not going over there to make up the numbers.”

Heather MacRae (above) has already qualified for the team by virtue of winning the 2021 WPGA Championship and the quintet will be completed by the first and second in the 2022 WPGA Championship, the winner of the 2022 OCEANTEE WPGA Series, and a captain’s pick.

MacRae was a member of the Great Britain and Ireland team that contested the first WPGA Cup in Texas in 2019 and, looking forward to next year’s tournament, she said: “I’m delighted I have already booked my place in the team.

“Playing in the inaugural tournament was an incredible experience and it’s something I want to be part of for as long as I can.

“As well taking part, I’m excited at the prospect of meeting up with some of the girls from the other teams. Sadly, that won’t include Brittany Kelly – a US team member who became a great friend but passed away shortly after the event after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

“On a much happier note, I think all of us who represented Great Britain and Ireland had an amazing week. I hope it has inspired other WPGA members to get out and practise to try and be part of what I’m sure will be another unforgettable experience.”