LONDON, August 22, 2011 (AFP) - Paul McGinley and Jean Van de Velde will captain Great Britain and Ireland and Continental Europe respectively in next month's Seve Trophy at St-Nom-la-Breteche near Paris, it was announced on Monday.
This year's event takes on added poignancy after the death of founder Seve Ballesteros in May, and the captains were chosen by Ballesteros' close friend and Europe's 2012 Ryder Cup captain, Jose Maria Olazabal.
Irishman McGinley captained Great Britain and Ireland to victory in the last Seve Trophy at the same venue in 2009, while Frenchman Van de Velde succeeds Thomas Bjorn in charge of the European team.
"It's a great honour to be invited back as captain, and it's something I'm really looking forward to," said McGinley, 44, who played an instrumental role as a vice captain to Colin Montgomerie in Europe's triumphant 2010 Ryder Cup team.
"Obviously with Seve's sad passing earlier this year, there will be added poignancy, particularly with Jose Maria being involved.
"Two years ago Seve was in our thoughts, both in the team room and outside. I'm sure he'll be looking down on us, and hopefully we can put on an event worthy of him."
Former Open runner-up Van de Valde, 45, who will be leading the European team on home soil, added: "I am certain we will receive great support from the French public and I really hope the players make the maximum effort to take part and honour the memory of one of golf's true greats."
The event comprises two teams of ten players, who play fourballs, greensomes, foursomes and singles over the four days from September 15-18.
The top five players in the official World Golf Ranking and the top five in The Race to Dubai Rankings will qualify automatically.
Continental Europe won the first edition of the biennial event at Sunningdale in England in 2000, while Great Britain and Ireland have won the last five matches.