It's close to crunch time for Gary Alliss and the Great Britain & Ireland PGA Cup team with the opening ceremony of the 23rd matches just hours away.
In the second instalment of his PGA Cup blog, captain Gary Alliss outlines how preparations have been going as he attempts to mastermind a first GB&I win on US soil.
We've been here two days now and preparations are going well.
The players are gelling really well, and it's proving a great mix of characters with some lively ones like Duncan Muscroft and Jon Bevan and the quieter ones although next to Duncan anyone is quiet.
I think Duncan could have a second career as a comedian if he ever got fed up with the golf.
The camaraderie is strong, and this ultimately will be the key to success in the matches. There are no egos and everybody is pulling in the right direction.
As the week has worn on you can see in the players there is a bit more edge to it, not nervousness as such but just excitement at the prospect of taking on the Americans.
Son, make sure you bring the old trophy home
It seems it's really capturing everyone's attention. We've been flooded with good luck messages including one from my dad, Dave Thomas and Nick Faldo which is just fantastic. Dad's told the players to keep calm, play their own game and just enjoy it.
He also said 'son, make sure you bring the old trophy home'. No pressure there then, dad!
Team meetings have been going well and they are relatively relaxed affairs.
There's not too much on strategy because the Oconee Course is all there before you.
I think the closing stretch could be pivotal. Sixteen, 17 and 18 are key holes. To give you some idea George Ryall birdied the last hole - a difficult 485 yard par 4 across water - and it was the first time his caddy (a regular caddy at the Reynolds Plantation) had ever seen anyone birdie it. George also birdied 15,16 and 17 so that's definitely promising.
Another big factor, particularly in the foursomes, will be the par threes and par fives. They are all very strong, tough holes. The par threes (holes 5, 8, 13 and 15) are very difficult. There won't be too many twos so par could win a few holes.
I've now got the big task of choosing the morning fourballs for the opening day. Choosing the pairings will be difficult primarily because I've got to leave two of the lads out and they're all really playing well.
I was asked by US TV about what had impressed me about any of our players and one thing that has really stood out is the power and distance of Craig Goodfellow off the tee. To borrow an American phrase - it's simply awesome.
His close pal Michael Nesbit is playing well too. It's like he's got the ball on a frozen rope but all the lads are hitting form so I'm quietly confident.
Getting the pairings right, particularly for the foursomes, is of course crucial but you can't judge it really until you see how their nerves hold up although I think they are all ready for the challenge.
Two will have to sit out but it's a hard walking course and very taxing and although they're all a fit bunch of guys that's something I have to take into consideration.
However having said all that, statistically something like three or four of the players are going to have to play five matches anyway.
I've spoken to a number of past PGA Cup and Ryder Cup captains and the bottom line is that the buck stops with me.
At the end of the day - win, lose or draw - my pairings will stand or fall by getting them right. It's about getting the balance of personality and games between the guys. You can't influence how they play but you can ensure their personalities and playing styles complement each other so that's down to me.
It's been one of the best weeks of my life so far now I'm set for the biggest weekend of my golfing career and I can't wait.
20 September, 2007 | The PGA