CORNISHMAN John Yeo has become captain of the Professional Golfers' Association for the next two years.

The 56-year-old club professional at Bude and North Cornwall says it will be the highlight of a lifetime in golf.

He believes playing for England in 1971 as an amateur and then appearing in the PGA Cup team against the United States at Turnberry Isle in Miami ten years later as a professional winning two and halving two of his four matches fulfiled his playing ambitions.

"But becoming captain is the greatest honour a club pro can achieve and it will be very satisfying in the twilight of my career," he added.

Bude-born Yeo started golf as a 13-year-old and won four Cornwall amateur championships. He was South West Counties champion in 1967 and 1970.

After playing for England he spent "five very enjoyable years" in his first professional post at Carlyon Bay. Ten years followed at

St Mellion before he returned to Bude 13 years ago and is now assisted by his son Mark, 33.

He enjoys a very contented and "pretty stress-free" life on the North Cornish coast and views his national appointment as a venture into the unknown. He was captain of the region in 83-84.

He succeeds Dave Thomas the four-times Ryder Cup player who lost a play-off to Peter Thomson for The Open in 1958. One duty is to attend the Ryder Cup. He was at The Belfry in September and goes to America next year.

He also attends two US Masters at Augusta and is invited to a host of other international and national events. He acknowledges he could not commit himself to the next four years without the support of his club. "They are very happy about it," he said. "It was a great surprise to be asked and it was an offer I could not refuse."

He and son Mark are helped by John's wife Carol who runs the golf shop at Bude.

Previous captains include Harry Vardon, James Braid, Henry Cotton, Dai Rees, Tommy Horton, Peter Alliss and Bernard Hunt.

West Region secretary Ray Ellis said: "He is a marvellous choice. No-one is more deserving than John for all he has done in golf."