Ryder Cup heads to Kingussie
GOLFERS in the strath will be able to emulate some of the game’s greatest names – the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Rory McIlroy and Colin Montgomery – by getting their hands on the sport’s most famous prize.
Europe’s gripping 14½ to 13½ victory over the United States team last October at Celtic Manor in Wales has paved the way for the Ryder Cup to come to Kingussie Golf Club.
The trophy first presented in 1927 will be the star attraction at the centenary celebrations taking place for the club house on Saturday July 2.
The men’s captain, Len Cruickshank, said that it was an honour to welcome the silverware which has been won four times out of the last five competitions by the European side.
He said it was the chance for many an enthusiast to make their dreams come true and get up close to the Ryder Cup.
Mr Cruickshank said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be welcoming Mr Sandy Jones, Chief Executive of the PGA with the Ryder Cup to Kingussie.
“It is a real coup for the club and the perfect way to mark the anniversary of the club house opening and for our annual visitors’ week to tee-off the next day.
“The Ryder Cup is the one competition which seems to become more and more popular here.
“The Great Britain and Ireland side always used to get beat by the Americans but there has been massive interest since the Europeans came aboard – and the team started winning which always helps!
“Of course, the biggest inspiration behind this was Seve Ballesteros because he was the player who was at the forefront of the huge improvements in European golf at that time.”
The Kingussie club had originally wanted to attract one of the game’s big names to their course ahead of the Barclays Scottish Open at Castle Stuart by Inverness as part of their popular visitors’ week which attracts players from far and beyond.
But the committee had to drop the idea because of the five figure sums being requested – and that was not even from those competing at golf’s very highest level.
“The money being asked for was just to prohibitive for a club like ours so we explored the idea of getting the Ryder Cup here and Mr Jones and his colleagues kindly agreed,” said Mr Cruickshank.
“He does after-dinner speaking and he was happy to come along with the trophy to make an occasion of it. So we have ended up building a day round the visit of the Ryder Cup.
“It is just coming here to Kingussie for the anniversary – it is not on a tour or anything like that – so we are very grateful.”
It is also the first time that the Ryder Cup, played for in a biennial competition, has come to Badenoch and Strathspey.
Visitors will have the chance to have their photograph taken with the famous cup, and to add to the occasion the club will be running highlights from the competition down the years throughout the day.
Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell famously beat Hunter Mahan in the final singles match at Celtic Manor to secure the one-point victory for the European side.
Mr Cruickhank said: “I am a big Monty fan myself so I was delighted when he captained the Europeans to victory – although it was closer than I would have liked!”
The cup is named after Samuel Ryder and started following an exhibition match in 1926 between a team comprising American professionals against a similar one drawn from the British PGA on the East Course, Wentworth Club, Virginia Water in Surrey.
Early matches between the two sides were fairly even, but after the Second World War, repeated US dominance led to a decision to extend British and Irish team to include continental Europe in 1979.
Kingussie Golf Club actually opened in 1891 but the pictureque clubhouse did not open for another 20 years, and since then has had several upgrades.
