This morning as we wait for this week's golf to get underway in Shenzhan China, and at the RBC Heritage in Hilton Head SC, and the Greater Gwinnett Championship in Georgia, I thought you might like this insight on just how popular hosting the Ryder Cup has become.
Those who have listened to me on Fairways over the last 20 years and read me here, know I believe it has become the most exciting, pressure packed, patriotic 3 day event in sports ever since Europe became competitive back in the mid 80's, thanks to Jack Nicklaus and the arrival of the late Seve Ballesteros.
Last year you'll remember Europe soundly beat USA at Gleneagles for their 8th win in the last 10 outings.
In 2016 Darren Clarke will take his men to the Hazeltine National course in Chaska, Minnesota to face Davis Love and his squad led by young guns like Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Patrick Reed etal..
2018 will be staged at Le Golf National on the outskirts of Paris. 2020 will be at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin where Martin Kaymer won the PGA Championship. 2024 will be at Bethpage Black in New York State.
2022 is currently up for grabs, so I attach this mornings missive from europeantour.com the recent trip of the Ryder Cup selection committee to the 4 sites competing for the prestige of hosting..
Germany, Spain, Italy and Austria have each hosted Bid Inspection visits from a delegation of Ryder Cup Europe officials – led by Ryder Cup Director Richard Hills – as part of their quest to host The 2022 Ryder Cup.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW A PHOTO GALLERY OF THE FOUR VISITS First on the agenda was a visit to Germany, where the Golf Resort A-ROSA Scharmützelsee in Badsarrow was presented as the potential host venue. Located on the fringes of the German capital, Berlin, the inland links-style course was designed by former European Number One and six-time Major Champion Sir Nick Faldo. The Ryder Cup has never been held in Germany.
Next, Ryder Cup Europe’s delegation travelled to the north-east of Spain to evaluate the Costa-Brava-Barcelona candidacy. The two-day trip consisted of a tour of the iconic cities of Barcelona and Girona, as well as the proposed future host venue, PGA Catalunya Resort, where the delegation met with owner Denis O’Brien. Spain’s bid enjoys support from the highest levels, including from His Royal Highness King Felipe VI, who has accepted the Honorary Presidency of the Costa Brava-Barcelona 2022 bid for The Ryder Cup.
Next they journeyed east to view the Italian bid centred on the Marco Simone Club on the outskirts of capital Rome. The Jim Fazio-designed Simone course, which was founded by and is still owned by celebrated fashion designer Laura Biagiotti and her family, hosted the 1994 Open de Italia while the Eternal City – whose Mayor Ignazio Marino also joined the delegation - is visible from parts of the layout.
Final stop for the delegation came in Austria and centred around the Fontana Golf Club to the south of the capital Vienna, a venue which has already staged tournaments on both The European Tour and the Challenge Tour. After a tour of the golf course and a meeting with founder Frank Stronach and owner Siegfried Wolf, the delegation were then shown the many iconic buildings and locations within Vienna itself.
One nation who will not be submitting a bid, however, is Portugal, who informed Ryder Cup Europe officials that they are no longer in the running due to the struggling economy that nation is enduring.
Following the inspection visits, the prospective host nations for what will be the 44th staging of The Ryder Cup, will make their formal submission of Official Bids on or before the closing date of Thursday April 30, 2015.
So there you have it, kings, Prime Ministers, Presidents all rolling out the red carpet along with our own Magna magnate Frank Stonach, all after the prestige, fame and fortune that goes to the successful bidder..
Samuel Ryder, the honest seed merchant that proposed these matches back in 1926 must be turning in his flowerbed !!
Bryan Angus..
No comments:
Post a Comment