Bristol's former Ryder Cup star Gordon Brand Jnr will make his United States senior debut in the US Seniors' Open at the Canterbury club in Cleveland, Ohio, next month.

"I have received a special invitation and I can't wait to go," he said. "My main concern now is getting in enough practice so I can do myself justice."

Brand turned 50 in August but only played three events on last year's European Seniors' Tour. He almost marked his debut in the British Seniors' Open with victory at Slaley Hall.

He was locked in a six-hole play off that was eventually won by Yorkshireman Gordon Brand, last year's leading money-winner in Europe. Brand had to settle for £32,000.

The Kirkcaldy-born golfer, who has lived in Bristol since his primary schooldays, retired from the European Tour in 2006. He won eight tournaments and grossed more than £3 million in prize money in 597 events over 25 years from 1982 .

Now he is heavily involved in teaching. He spent the winter coaching the England Under-16 squad at Woodhall Spa under lead coach John Jacobs, the Keynsham-based Cumberwell Park head pro. He also worked with selected youngsters from the South West as well as the Gloucestershire and Somerset teams.

Brand, whose base is now The Players Club in Codrington, said: "I started coaching when I finished playing and I find it most enjoyable. It's nice to work with the kids. In some ways I can see something of myself in them because that's how I started as a 16-year-old.

"We are now just trying to improve them. I have some knowledge to impart and the English Golf Union and the two local counties are doing great work to develop young players."

Brand makes his first appearance on this year's European Seniors Tour in Majorca on May 8.

"I've got a month to get myself into shape and I shall be hitting a lot of balls at The Players," he said.

Brand was back in familiar territory over Easter when he officially opened the driving range at Saltford which is being run by the club's assistant pro Sam Hughes .

Hughes, 27, whose father Derek is the Somerset and South West junior secretary, spent £15,000 equipping the range.