Sutton captains US Ryder Cup team

HAL SUTTON was confirmed last night as captain of the American Ryder Cup team for the 2004 match at Oakland Hills, near Detroit.

The 44-year-old takes over from Curtis Strange, widely criticised for his decision to put world number one Tiger Woods out last in the singles at The Belfry last month. Europe won back the trophy before Woods had a chance to influence the result.

There was always going to be a change in any case no American has been retained for a second match as captain since Ben Hogan in 1949 and Sutton was always the favourite.

The highly-respected former US PGA champion was America's top points-scorer in Boston three years ago, but played only two games at The Belfry after a dramatic loss of form this season.

Sutton was asked last week at the Disney Golf Classic about the criticism that losing Ryder Cup captains always receive, saying that would never keep him from accepting the job.

''The neat part about that is you're in a big enough position that everybody not making that decision can sit around and criticise you,'' said Sutton. ''If you're afraid to be second-guessed, you better not make any decisions. We shouldn't lose these things the way we're losing them. There's way too much talent over here.''

Sutton said: ''I am overwhelmed, honoured and looking forward to the challenge. I am in awe of it as a matter of fact.

''It's one of the great honours that a golfer can have bestowed on him. There is no event like it. It is disturbing to me that we have lost six of the last nine. We possess all kinds of talent. I don't know what the missing ingredient is other than we need to become more passionate about it. I think the players are passionate, but they show it in different ways. I don't want to beat Europe on course set-up. I want to beat them with sterling play. I am going to do the best I can. We need to let our talent shine. They've wanted to, but they haven't.

''I am not sure what kind of captain I will be, but I intend to be a players' captain. I am not going to cave in to every one of their desires, though.''

On Tiger Woods' poor record in the competition Sutton added: ''Before long Tiger is going to shine in the Ryder Cup, I can assure you. He is too great a champion. I think what we need to do is put our best players together and secure some matches. I think our four best players will do it each and every time. I think that has hurt us in the past.''

With Sam Torrance having resisted calls to stay on, the captaincy of Europe will be discussed at the next meetings of the players' committee and Ryder Cup Committee.

Ian Woosnam, vice-captain to Torrance, has thrown his hat into the ring, but Nick Faldo has removed his because he wants to play in the match again. Bernhard Langer, meanwhile, is weighing up whether he wants to be a candidate.

Meantime, Ballybunion is the only Irish club included in two categories in the provincial section of the inaugural AIB Golf Club of the Year Awards scheme. The scheme is a joint venture between AIB, the Golfing Union of Ireland and the Irish Ladies Golfing Union. It focuses on the many non-playing aspects of golf club activity that are essential to the long term success of any club and focuses on four areas of increasting importance, namely junior golf, the environment, communications and clubhouse/course presentation. Connacht - Ballinasloe (junior golf), Portumna (presentation), Enniscrone (clubhouse/course), Co Sligo (communications).

Leinster - Elm Park, Carlow, Tullamore, Clontarf.

Munster - Bantry Bay, Ballybunion, Nenagh, Ballybunion.

Ulster - Gracehill, Kilrea, Dunmurry, Castlerock.