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The first known international match between British and American amateur golfers was staged at Gleneagles in 1921 prior to the British Open at St. Andrews. The Walker Cup was founded in the following year and talk turned to the desire for a similar event limied to professionals.
In 1926, St Albans seed merchant Samuel Ryder visited Wentworth for a pre-Open qualifying tournament and was dismayed to see American and British golfers standing apart from each other. In an attempt to inject a touch of friendly rivalry, he set up a competition between the two factions. A prize fund of £5 ($10 !) for the winning team was put forward, along with a champagne and chicken sandwich buffet for after the match. The players were chosen by Walter Hagen, who was captain in the first six Ryder Cup matches. In 1927, the first official Ryder Cup match took place at Worcester Country Club in Worcester, Mass.
The rest is of course history... To sample part of the 80 years of that history, click on the pictures below to look at our Ryder Cup Venue tours
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Play two of London's finest championship courses, Wentworth and Walton Heath. Designed by one of the greats of Golf Course design, Harry Colt, these two heavyweights heathland courses have held numerous tournaments over the years, and in addition to their Ryder Cup connection, Wentworth still hosts the World Matchplay and European PGA Championships, while Walton Heath annually hosts the European qualifier for the US Open.
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The Belfry, near Birmingham, really needs no introduction when it comes to the Ryder Cup. Its name is synonymous with the event, having held this most prestigious of events on no fewer than 4 occasions. It's also famous for having two of the most memorable holes in golf folklore - the 10th and 18th, where so many matches have been dramatically won & lost.
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The Celtic Manor golf complex provides three premier courses each of which are of the highest quality, all designed by the highly influential Robert Trent Jones family. The latest of the three courses is the mouth watering Wentwood Hills, which has been awarded the 2010 Ryder Cup between Europe and the USA. The re-named Ryder Cup Course course is undergoing reconstruction work from September 2005 in readiness for the 2010 Ryder Cup, but the other two courses here and the magnificent Royal Pothcawl Championship links courses are more than enough reason to visit.
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One of the great surprises when talking about Ryder Cup history, and often overlooked by historians, is that the Ryder Cup was also held inland in the north of the country, at 3 of England's classic heathland courses - Moortown, Ganton and Lindrick. All 3 would qualify for hidden gem status, were it not for the fact that they are all championship courses and have held many famous tournaments over the years. The North of England is a delight for all golf connoisseurs, and we can't rate this tour highly enough.
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North West England |
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We often talk of the North West coast of England for its fine links courses, where you have 3 of the finest Open Championship courses in close proximity to each other - Royal Liverpool, Royal Birkdale and Royal Lytham. And yet, it is also steeped in Ryder Cip history and has hosted ther Ryder Cup on no fewer than 9 occasions. In addition to Birkdale and Lytham, the great links at Southport also held the honour in 1933 & 1937.
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Scotland |
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Apart from being a truly deluxe 5 star resort, Glenagles can boast 3 championship golf courses. As well as the challenge of the King's course and the secluded charms of the Queens course, both designed by James Braid, there is the exceptional PGA Centenary course, created by Jack Nicklaus, and venue for the 40th Ryder Cup matches in 2014. Gorse, heather, firs, pines and silver birch line the fairways and the conditioning of the course is always perfect, matched only by the spellbinding views of the Scottish Glens.
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Ireland |
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The K Club is one of Ireland’s premier golf clubs, boasting a five star hotel and spa as well as two courses designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer. The extraordinary success of the 2006 Ryder Cup - providing a truly memorable event for all golfing enthusiaists worldwide - has confirmed the K Club's Palmer Course as one of the world's top courses and a 'must' for any golfer keen to enjoy an exhilarating golfing experience.
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