Golf: Ryder Cup
June 21, 2008 – 2:03 pmThe Ryder Cup was born in 1926, when teams representing the Professional Golfers Associations of Great Britain and the United States played a match in England; the British won, 13 1/2 to 1 1/2. Enthusiastic public reaction to the match prompted Samuel A. Ryder, a wealthy British seed merchant, to donate a solid gold trophy for a series of matches to be held every two years, beginning in 1927.
The United States saw its first formal Ryder Cup competition in 1937. The championship then alternated between the U. S. and Great Britain until 1997, when it was played at the Valderrama course at Costa del Sol, Spain. The British team was expanded to include golfers from Ireland in 1973, and the rest of Europe has been included since 1979.
Ryder Cup: Format and Prize
The Ryder Cup originally included four foursome matches on the first day of competition, followed by eight singles matches on the second and final day. Over the years, the format has evolved; currently, there are 28 matches over a three-day period: eight four-ball (better ball), eight foursomes (alternate shot), and 12 singles matches.
Like placing in the Masters Golf Tournaments, a spot on the Ryder Cup team is highly valued by professional golfers. Unlike Masters golf, there is no monetary prize; however, the tournament remains fiercely competitive. Players are selected through complex point systems based on their finishes in official tour events.
