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Golf Tournament
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When:
09/16/2008 at 08:00 am
Where:
Valhalla Golf Club
Louisville Kentucky, 40202
United States
Email Contact:
jim.odom@19thHole.com
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Match Format
MATCH PLAY
All games are played under Match Play rules, where the result of each
game is determined by the number of holes won. The order of play for
the first two days is Fourball in the morning and Foursomes in the
afternoon. The final day's play will be in Singles format. FOURBALL (four groups of two two-man teams)
"Fourball" play is a match in which each member of the two-man teams
plays their own ball. Four balls are in play per hole with each of the
four players competing. The team whose player has the lowest score on
that hole wins the hole. Should players from each team tie for the best
score, the hole is halved.
FOURSOMES (four groups of two two-man teams)
"Foursomes" play is a match where two golfers play together against two
other golfers and each team plays one ball. The golfers play alternate
shots (player A hits tee shot, player B hits second shot, etc) until
the hole is played out. Team members alternate playing the tee shots,
with one golfer hitting the tee shot on odd-numbered holes, and the
other hitting the tee shot on the even-numbered holes. The team with
the better score wins the hole. Should the two teams tie for best
score, the hole is halved.
SINGLES (12 groups of two one-man teams)"Singles"
is a match in which one player competes against another player. A
player wins the match when he is up by more holes than there are holes
remaining to play.
PAIRINGSEach Team Captain independently
submits the order of play for his Team to the appointed tournament
official. The lists from each Captain are matched, resulting in the
"Pairings". Please note that the players in pairings can be modified by
the Team Captains only if a player is ill or injured. Pairings are
subject to change and should not be considered final until play begins
for a particular match. Ryder Cup History
The
Ryder Cup, one of the last great sporting events founded on prestige
rather than prize money, spans 34 competitions over 77 years. The
origin of the idea to stage international matches between the best
American professionals and those of Great Britain is a subject of
debate among golf historians. Past PGA President George Sargent
(1921-26) of the Southeastern PGA Section credited Sylvanus P. Jermain,
president of Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio, for first presenting the
concept in 1921.
However, Bob Harlow, founder of Golf World and one-time manager of
Walter Hagen, reported in 1951 that the Matches were first proposed in
1920 by James Harnett, a circulation representative for Golf
Illustrated. Harnett had attempted to attract potential readers by
raising funds to pay expenses for a professional match between the US
and Great Britain. Harnett didn't get the support he needed until The
PGA of America voted at its Annual Meeting on December 15, 1920, to
advance Harnett some funds. The rivalry Harnett so eagerly attempted to
develop eventually became The Ryder Cup.
Regardless of who takes credit, the first informal matches were
played in 1921 at Gleneagles, Scotland. Harnett, most likely with
Hagen's assistance, selected the American Team. The Matches were played
just before the 2,000 Guineas Match Play Championship, with the British
soundly defeating the US Team, 9-3.
Another unofficial match occurred when the R & A decreed
regional qualifying rounds before the 1926 Open Golf Championship,
forcing overseas competitors to make their trans-Atlantic trek earlier.
With extra time on their hands, the American contingent agreed to form
a team for an unofficial match against the British professionals at
Wentworth. This time, the Americans' defeat was worse - a 13 1/2 to 1
1/2 rout. English seed merchant and entrepreneur Samuel Ryder was a
member of the appreciative gallery.
Ryder was an Englishman from St Albans in Hertfordshire, who made
his fortune selling penny seed packets. Before the matches at
Wentworth, Ryder had engaged the British star Abe Mitchell as his
personal golf tutor. Mitchell beat the reigning British Open Champion
Jim Barnes, 8 and 7, in the singles, and then partnered with George
Duncan in the foursomes to beat Hagen and Barnes, 9 and 8.
After the matches, Ryder had tea with British Team Members George
Duncan and Mitchell. Also joining them were Hagen and American teammate
Emmett French. Duncan suggested Ryder provide a trophy and encourage
the establishment of matches on a regular basis. Ryder agreed at once
and commissioned the design of the gold chalice that bears his name and
Mitchell's likeness on the top.
Unfortunately, Mitchell was suffering from appendicitis and could
not join his countrymen at the inaugural Matches which were held in
1927 at Worcester Country Club in Massachusetts. The United States team
defeated the team from Great Britain in that historic first match, 9
1/2 -2 1/2.
The inaugural US Ryder Cup Team was captained by Hagen, a charter
Member of The PGA of America. Only American-born players were allowed
to join the Team, according to a Selection Committee ruling, April 5,
1927, in Chicago. Joining Hagen on the Team were Leo Diegel, Johnny
Farrell, Johnny Golden, Bill Mehlhorn, Gene Sarazen, Joe Turnesa and Al
Watrous. Mike Brady and Al Espinosa were named alternates.
The British PGA Team was originally set with Mitchell as Captain,
but he remained home due to appendicitis. Ted Ray took over the duties,
and was joined on the team by Aubrey Boomer, Archie Compston, George
Duncan, George Gadd, Arthur Havers, Herbert Jolly, Fred Robson and C.A.
(Charles) Whitcombe.
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