The Moor Hall man has played a vital role in the last two matches
Cameron Clark has been named captain of Great Britain & Ireland’s PGA Cup team as they attempt to claim an historic third consecutive victory over the USA in Texas next year.
The 44-year-old, who is head professional at Moor Hall Golf Club in the West Midlands, has been involved in the last two stagings of the biennial event, playing an integral role in helping GB&I secure a first win on American soil in 2015 at CordeValle.
Last September, meanwhile, he was one of the two vice-captains at Foxhills Club & Resort, Surrey, when Albert MacKenzie led the home team to an emphatic 16-10 victory.
“I am immensely proud and honoured to have been asked to captain Great Britain & Ireland at the 2019 PGA Cup,” said Clark, who will lead his men out at Barton Creek Resort in Austin next September.
“Although it did come as a surprise, in many ways it wasn’t because I’ve been involved in the last two matches as a player and vice-captain. Being part of two successful teams stands me in good stead moving forward in 2019.
“I’ve learned an awful lot from both experiences. I’m lucky in that I can look at it from both standpoints now as a player and a vice-captain.
“I’m not saying it’s going to be an easy task. The Americans will be hurting after losing the last two matches but I’d be very confident our boys can go and perform out there again. I wouldn’t take the job unless I was confident.”
Commenting on Clark’s appointment, Robert Maxfield, the PGA chief executive, added: “We are delighted Cameron has accepted our invitation to lead the Great Britain & Ireland team at the 2019 PGA Cup.
“As a player, Cameron made history as part of the first Great Britain & Ireland team to win The PGA Cup in America at CordeValle, California three years ago.
“He then demonstrated his leadership qualities as a vice-captain at Foxhills Club & Resort where Great Britain & Ireland recorded their biggest ever victory over the Americans.
“It felt only right that Cameron should be given the opportunity now to lead a team back to America as captain in 2019.
“Cameron is passionate about this competition and I’m certain he’ll prove to be just as popular and successful as his predecessor Albert MacKenzie.”
Prior to 2015, GB&I had won just one of the last 14 meetings between the two sides dating back to 1984. That came in 2005, when Jim Farmer’s men beat USA 15-11 at The K Club in Ireland.