Leading French golfer, Christian Cevaer has applauded the decision to appoint Jean Van de Velde as captain of the Continental team for this month’s Vivendi Seve Trophy near Versailles.
Van de Velde, who went so close to capturing the 1999 Open Championship, takes over from Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn whose Continental side went down by five points two years ago.
It was the task of 2012 Ryder Cup captain, Jose Maria Olazabal to pick the two captains in Van de Velde and defending GB & I captain, Paul McGinley.
Olazabal spoke with www.golfbytourmiss.com last week at Gleneagles indicating McGinley’s reappointment was very much a litmus test ahead of him taking over the 2014 Ryder Cup captaincy from the Spaniard.
Van de Velde qualified for the 1999 Ryder Cup after finishing joint second to Scotland’s Paul Lawrie earlier that year in The Open at Carnoustie.
However in poor showing as European Captain, Mark James did not play Van de Velde, and for that matter Scotland’s Andrew Coltart and Sweden’s Jarmo Sandelin, to the Sunday Singles.
It’s now the first occasion since Brookline that Van de Velde is again involved with a European team event.
And Cevaer is delighted with his appointment.
Christian Cevaer, winner of 2009 European Open, delighted with Jean Van de Velde's Vivendi appointment.
“Jean’s appointed as a captain is a key to the success of the event, and it’s a great idea of Jose Maria to appoint him,” said Cevaer.
“If now gives the event some sort of French presence even though there’s no French who like they may be competing at Saint-Nom-la-Breteche.
“But we still have our fingers crossed that one French guy can still make Jean’s side, and it’s just a pity that Jean doesn’t have a ‘captain’s pick’ in this event that is unlike the Ryder Cup.
“But then it’s crucial for the success of the event and the French public because with Jean as Continental captain there will be even greater interest.
“Jean will love his role as he’s a very passionate guy, and someone who wears his heart on sleeve.”
But even if Van de Velde were to captain a winning Continental side, Cevear does not believes there would be for Van de Velde in seven years time when the Ryder Cup is played in France.
“It would be nice but then if you look at the Ryder Cup vice-captains they are guys who have won Majors and guys who have played in many Ryder Cup sides, and guys who are used to the big time,” said Cevear.
“But then if you are looking for a good vice-captain in 2018 for the Ryder Cup, I’m sure Thomas Levet would be a great choice.”
And with the start this week of the 2012 Ryder Cup qualifying process, Cevear has not ruled himself of qualifying for Olazabal’s Medinah side.
“I would love to play in the Ryder Cup and besides some of us also get better with age,” he said.
“I would be 42 next year at the time of the Ryder Cup so by today’s standards that is not too old to be playing in a Ryder Cup.”
