Ryder Cup star set for Seniors debut at Slaley

Posted on 19/08/08. Source: PGA (By Staff writer)

Ryder Cup stalwart Gordon Brand Junior, who never tasted defeat against the Americans, will hook up with former team-mates Sam Torrance and Jose Rivero when he makes his European Seniors Tour debut at Slaley Hall this week.

The 49-year-old (pictured) reaches the magical 50 milestone on the eve of the £300,000 De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship (August 21-24) thrusting him back into the spotlight against his old rivals.

Brand admits the prospect of playing against Torrance and Rivero plus another Ryder Cup favourite, Costantino Rocca, and defending champion Carl Mason is one he's relishing.

"The PGA Seniors Championship at Slaley Hall is a great one for me to start off on and it's a baptism of fire making your debut on one of the biggest events on the Tour," he said.

"I came off the main tour in 2006 and the break has rekindled the fire and I'm looking forward to playing competitive golf. One thing a pro golfer never loses is the competitive edge, you're always ready to test your ability."

Brand, sixth on the all time European Tour list of appearances with 597 under his belt, is as serious as ever about his golf but is also looking forward to the relaxed environment of the Seniors Tour.

"It will be nice to see the likes of Sam and other guys who I played against 20 years ago in the early 80s," he said.

"The main Tour back then seemed to have more of a social aspect to it where now it seems to be incredible professional the way the guys approach the Tour today.

"We were professional but they have gone up that next level. I'm looking forward to the atmosphere, of playing competitive golf, enjoying myself with some old friends and testing myself to see if I've got a game."

Brand has been a familiar name since bursting on to the golf scene in the early 80s, winning twice in his debut season and going on to win a place on the 1987 Ryder Cup team that created history at Muirfield Village, Ohio by defeating America on US soil for the first time.

He partnered Rivero in that match and Torrance in the 1989 team that retained the famous gold trophy at The Belfry.

"I think I was fortunate to be part of the 87 team where we had six of the best golfers in the world performing at their best," said the eight time Tour winner.

"The rest of us just tried to pick up the odd point here and there.

"1987 was also memorable because Jack Nicklaus was the captain who was my hero. I almost felt sorry for him because he was such a gent and went out of his way to look after us.

"I remember after The Belfry in 1989, Sam Torrance said I was lucky to have played in two Ryder Cups and not lost - Sam had experienced not winning."

Brand will be hoping to experience more of that winning feeling at Slaley Hall and spectators can watch him try with a special 2 for 1 ticket offer on 01675 477 812.