CHARLESTON, S.C. — U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Davis Love III announced the remainder of his staff Monday in the quest to win back the golden trophy on American soil, adding former PGA Champion Jeff Sluman and Ryder Cup veteran Scott Verplank to serve as assistant captains.

Sluman and Verplank completed a four-person support staff for the 2012 United States Ryder Cup Team. Love announced in June that Fred Couples and Mike Hulbert would be his other assistants.

The 39th Ryder Cup is Sept. 28-30, with the United States hosting Europe at Medinah (Ill.) Country Club.

Captain Davis Love III discusses the eight players who qualified for the 2012 U.S. Ryder Cup Team. (Photo: The PGA of America)

"I'm down to the wire of my two-year journey. Now, it gets exciting," said Love, who said that he will confer with his assistants the next three weeks before Sept. 4, when four Captain's selections will be announced in New York City to complete the 12-member U.S. Team.

The 54-year-old Sluman was the 1988 PGA Champion and served with Love in Wales in 2010 to U.S. Captain Corey Pavin at the Celtic Manor. Verplank, 48, was a member of the 2002 and '06 U.S. Team, posting a 4-1-0 overall record.

"I obviously am going to need a lot of help with those [Captain's pick] decisions," said Love, "Scott Verplank and Jeff Sluman, two close friends of mine, are guys that have been around the game a long time. Other than Scott, who has played in the Ryder Cup, we have got guys that have been captains of teams and assistant captains.

"Mike Hulbert was with Curtis Strange (2002) back when there was only one assistant and now we have moved up to four. These are guys that I trust. They are close friends of mine. They are very engaged already, given me a lot of great advice." Love said that Sluman already is in the field working. He will be making his own site visit at Medinah."

Love said that it is a bonus to have Sluman, a resident of Hinsdale, Ill., have easy access to reviewing Medinah Country Club.

"Jeff and I spent a lot of time in Wales talking about this Ryder Cup already," said Love. "He's been a big supporter of mine over the last two years, and it's great that we added him and Scott Verplank to our team. We're excited and ready to go."

"I'm just as excited as the players to be part of this Ryder Cup Team, and will do all I can to help Davis and the players win back the Ryder Cup," said Sluman. "Living in the Chicago area, I can attest that it will be a great atmosphere for the Ryder Cup. I am proud to join Scott, Fred, and Mike in supporting Davis."

Couples, 52, the 1992 Masters Champion, is a veteran of five Ryder Cup Teams (1989, '91, '93, '95, '97), posting a 7-9-4 record. Couples also served as an unbeaten Captain in the Presidents Cup, guiding the U.S. to wins in 2009 and 2011, and returns to that position in 2013.

Hulbert, 54, served as assistant to 2002 U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Curtis Strange, and has not competed in a Ryder Cup.

Couples and Love were teammates during the 1993, '95 and '97 Ryder Cup, and teamed to win four consecutive (1992-95) World Cup of Golf titles.

The Ryder Cup is one of the most spirited, exciting and compelling events in sport—covering nearly 85 years, involving the greatest players in the world and producing some of the greatest moments in the game.

This September, the U.S. will attempt to win back the Ryder Cup, which it relinquished in 2010, following Europe's 14 1/2 to 13 1/2 victory in Wales. The U.S. last won a Ryder Cup in 2008 after a 15-11 victory at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky.

European Captain José Maria Olázábal will complete his 12-member Team, Aug. 26, with two Captain's selections following the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.

About The PGA of America
Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, The PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry. By creating and delivering world-class championships and innovative programs, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. As The PGA nears its centennial, the PGA brand represents the very best in golf.