GARY ALLISS
PGA Master Professional
The Belfry, Sutton Coldfield, England
This opportunity allows me my small niche in golfing history alongside my very illustrious grandfather and father.
Q. The PGA Cup competitive level has risen steadily over the past decade, as evidenced by a decisive victory in 2005 for Great Britain & Ireland followed by coming within a point of a historic first road victory in the United States in 2007. What can you attribute to GB&I's increased level of play?
A. I believe the GB&I team players have drawn on the inspiration of Ryder Cup sides. Many of our players qualifying this year grew up watching Faldo, Seve, Sandy, Bernhard, Woosie, Ollie, etc. They are steeped in those players beating USA teams, winning majors and they are not frightened.
In addition, the players of the PGA Cup are day-to-day golf professionals, but they truly believe themselves to be professional golfers. The PGA Cup is just another way they can show themselves off to be great players. Because of this, the desire to make the side has risen almost immeasurably. PGA members really want to make the GB&I team, play for their country and win points against the strongest golfing nation in the world. They also relish the fact that the PGA Cup is the last remaining GB&I team, not Europe.
Q. You will be serving for a second straight time as Captain. What does it mean to you at this point in your career in golf?
A. It is without doubt the pinnacle of my career to date, I hope that after the match there may be more highlights for me, I'm only 55, but if I do no more or much more the two opportunities I have been given to Captain my country in the sport I love will very likely be unsurpassable. In addition, it allows me my small niche in golfing history alongside my very illustrious grandfather (Percy) and father (Peter) and I hope will be an inspiration to my son Gary as he enters his final year of PGA training, by showing that it is possible to make your own mark even when your predecessors appear to have achieved everything.