Michigan PGA section member Ben Cook of Caledonia, Mich. was an instrumental part of the American PGA Club Professionals retaining the PGA Cup’s Llandudno International Trophy over their PGA counterparts in Great Britain & Ireland this fall. The competition, which took place in Austin, Texas, is a Ryder Cup type event for club professionals.
Rookie teammates Cook and Ben Kern of Round Rock, Texas, rallied from a three-hole deficit to forge a memorable tie in afternoon foursomes the first day. The quality U.S. performance included a pair of flawless wins in the final day singles matches by Cook, and Ryan Vermeer of Omaha, Nebraska. They won the final day’s seventh and eight matches without dropping a single hole – the only players to accomplish that on either team. Cook celebrated his 26th birthday by dispatching Jason Levermore, 4 and 3.
Cook is an Assistant PGA Professional at Yankee Springs Golf Course in Wayland.
“Just play hard, you never know,” said Cook about the Friday comeback. “Especially in alternate shot. One bad tee shot or errant shot, matches can flip.”
