Long wait nearly over for debutant Coles

Robert Coles has been counting down the days this year as he prepares for his first ever taste of the PGA Cup at Foxhills Resort later this month.

The former European Tour player qualified for Albert MacKenzie’s Great Britain & Ireland team to face America after finishing runner-up in the PGA Play-Offs in October last year.

It means the long wait of almost a year is almost over for the 44-year-old from Essex, who is confident he can help the home side secure back-to-back wins in the competition for the first time in 33 years.

“As soon as you play and have a chance to qualify, which I did last year, that was always a huge goal for me,” said Coles, who is based at Maylands Golf & Country Club.

“To be able to do that and have the PGA Cup to look forward to is a massive thing for me. I didn’t want to wish the whole year away but I have been looking forward to September and I can’t wait.

“I’ve not played at Foxhills many times before but it looks like a great place and I’m looking forward to playing the course.”

Coles brings a wealth of experience to the Great Britain & Ireland team having made 400 appearances on the European Tour. He tasted success on the Challenge Tour where he won three events and he has also played in the Open Championship on three occasions.

The father of two has limited experience of playing as part of a team, but he is relishing the opportunity to play for his country.

“It’s representing four nations and it will be fantastic. I got to do it once for England as an amateur, but that was a long time ago.

“I relish the team competition and having watched many Ryder Cup’s and things like that so I’m really looking forward to it, I can’t wait.

“I know quite a few players involved through my playing days going back a few years. I was playing when Cameron Clarke was on the tour and I do recall Martyn beating me in the English Amateur so I’ve got a few skeletons there but we’re good friends and I look forward to it playing with them and being with them.”

Two years ago Great Britain & Ireland made history after they won for the first time in America in 44 years of the competition.

Jon Bevan and his team put their names in the history books at CordeValle and Coles knows the importance of defending the Llandudno Trophy.

“We don’t want to waste the good efforts that they did over there and waste their good work, Coles added.

“It’s no good going over there and winning and then letting America take it back that easily. We’ve got to make sure we’re ready and I’m sure we will be.”