| In the history of golf, the Ryder Cup has played a | | | | Ryder Cup. The team was captained by Walter |
| major role for over seventy years. Each year golf | | | | Hagen and included Johnny Farrell, Johnny Golden, |
| enthusiasts flock to the Ryder Cup, which has been | | | | Gene Sarazen, Leo Diegel, Joe Turnesa, Bill Mehlhorn |
| hosted by a variety of countries, courses and climates, | | | | and Al Watrous. Americans dominated the Ryder Cup |
| and every year they are rewarded with some of the | | | | for 70 years with few exceptions, like the 1969 match, |
| most exciting and memorable matches. In order to | | | | which ended in a 16-16 tie at Royal Birkdale and is |
| understand the meaning and intensity of the Ryder | | | | considered one of the most memorable Ryder Cup |
| Cup one must understand the rich traditions and | | | | matches ever played. In 1979 a major change |
| evolutions that have taken place over the years for | | | | occurred and players from the European continent |
| both the American and European teams. | | | | began to compete for what would now be the |
| Samuel Ryder: The Birth of the Ryder Cup Matches | | | | European team instead of the British team. The |
| There is debate among golf historians about exactly | | | | American team won in 1979, 1981 and 1983, but the |
| how the Ryder Cup began. Some claim the original | | | | matches became more competitive as the European |
| idea was first developed in 1920 and the first unofficial | | | | team had the opportunity to bring in new blood. In 1985 |
| matches played in 1921. What can be corroborated is | | | | the European team won at the Belfry and then again |
| the unofficial match of qualifying rounds that were | | | | at Muirfield Village. It was the first consecutive |
| called for just prior to the 1926 Open Golf | | | | European win and the first on American soil. |
| Championship. The Americans formed a team to play | | | | Unforgettable Golf and Unforgettable Memories |
| against British professionals at Wentworth. As the | | | | The humble start of the Ryder Cup was inspired by a |
| Americans were defeated, Samuel Ryder, an | | | | man's love of golf and this tradition continues today. |
| Englishman and entrepreneur from St. Albans in | | | | The Ryder Cup has spanned over 77 years and 34 |
| Herfordshire, was in attendance. | | | | competitions. In 1989, as media coverage increased the |
| In 1906 Ryder was elected mayor of St. Albans and | | | | Ryder Cup increased its popularity. Americans |
| his health suffered from working too much. Fresh air | | | | watched Irish player Christy O'Connor win against Fred |
| and light exercise were recommended to improve his | | | | Couples. In 1991 Americans reclaimed the Ryder Cup |
| health and it was suggested he take up golf. Later, | | | | with a victory in Kiawah Island, South Carolina. Then in |
| after becoming an avid fan of the sport, Ryder | | | | 1993 the Americans won another close match at The |
| employed Abe Mitchell as his instructor. Mitchell was | | | | Belfry. |
| considered one of Great Britain's finest players and | | | | In 1995 the Europeans made a comeback at the Oak |
| Ryder enjoyed watching the British team, which | | | | Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York and they |
| included Mitchell, defeat the Americans in the unofficial | | | | continued this winning streak in 1997 at the |
| 1926 match. When it was suggested an official match | | | | Valderamma Golf Club in Sotogrande, Spain. In 1999 |
| be created, Samuel Ryder agreed to donate a solid | | | | the Americans made one of the greatest comebacks |
| gold trophy. He insisted that the figure on the cup | | | | ever when after a seemingly impossible 10-6 deficit the |
| resemble Mitchell. The inaugural Ryder Cup was | | | | Americans defeated the European team anyway. |
| planned for June 3-4, 1927 at the Worcester Country | | | | Recently, the European team has achieved victory in |
| Club in Massachusetts. Ryder lived to see two Ryder | | | | the 2004 match at Oakland Hills and in 2006 at the |
| Cup matches on his own soil and in 1936 he died. He | | | | K-Club in Ireland. The pressure is now on the |
| was buried with his favorite mashie 5 iron | | | | Americans to reclaim the trophy at the September |
| The Beginning of a Time Honored Golf Tradition | | | | 2008 Ryder Cup hosted by the Valhalla Country Club |
| The Americans won the first inaugural match of the | | | | in Louisville, Kentucky. |
