The Ryder Cup's reputation as one of the world's greatest sporting events is founded on prestige rather than prize money. RBS is an Official Patron of the event, which sees teams from Europe and the United States battle for supremacy every two years.
Our relationship with the Ryder Cup is an extension of our proud association with The PGA of America, organiser of the 2008 contest at the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.
The trans-Atlantic competition actually started as a series of informal exhibition matches. Then, in 1927, teams from the USA and Great Britain first played seriously for the Ryder Cup – donated by English seed merchant and golf enthusiast Samuel Ryder.
The United States, captained by the great Walter Hagen, won that year and went on to dominate the competition.
In 1977, with USA leading the series 19-3, a proposal was put forward by Jack Nicklaus – now an RBS global ambassador – to extend the Great Britain & Ireland team to include players from the whole of Europe.
"It is vital to widen the selection procedures if the Ryder Cup is to continue to enjoy its past prestige," said Jack, who played six times in total and went on to captain the US team in 1983 and 1987 – and designed the Valhalla course.
It proved to be a turning point for the competition. Europe have won seven times since first lifting the trophy in 1985 at The Belfry, and the Ryder Cup is now regarded as one of the world's most fiercely contested sporting events.
| Date: | 19-21 September |
|---|---|
| Venue: | Valhalla GC, Louisville, Kentucky |
| Par & Yardage | 71 (7496 yds) |
| Interesting facts: | |
| RBS global ambassador Jack Nicklaus designed the Valhalla course in 1986. | |
| The signature hole is the par 4 13th, which requires a tee shot to a small landing area, then an approach shot over water to an island green. | |
| Valhalla GC hosted the PGA Championship in 1996 and 2000 - both were won by Americans. | |
| The 2010 match will be the first to be staged in Wales, at Celtic Manor near Newport. | |
| The figure on the trophy is Abe Mitchell, the man who taught Samuel Ryder how to play golf. | |
