Following an amicable exhibition match at Wentworth between a British golfing team and visiting Americans in 1926, businessman Samuel Ryder felt that a regular fixture was needed and sponsored the golfing tournament and trophy that still bear his name. Today, Ryder Cup tickets allow you to be a part of this prestigious and historic golfing competition.
The Ryder Cup, a combination of match play competitions, is held once every two years, with the venue alternating between a course in America and a course in Europe. Unlike most modern sporting tournaments, although the Ryder Cup is heavily publicised and attracts a great deal of sponsorship funding, the competitors play not for financial reward but for the prestige of taking part.
Following an extended period of successive wins by the American team, the Ryder Cup tournament rules were altered in 1979 to allow non-British European golfers to participate, creating ‘Team Europe’.
Historically, America still dominates in terms of overall Ryder Cup wins but in recent years the emphasis has shifted slightly in Team Europe’s favour, with the Europeans claiming the trophy six times in the last ten tournaments.
Whilst golf retains its reputation as ‘the gentleman’s game’ the tournament is still hotly contested between the competing nations, making the Ryder Cup as thrilling and entertaining a golfing event today as it was at its inauguration in 1927.