Ryder Cup Match History |
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The historical creator of the Ryder Cup, Samuel Ryder was the son of an English corn merchant. Ryder was born in 1858. He attended and was educated at Manchester University in the North of England. Against his father's advice the youthful Samuel Ryder decided to try to sell penny seed packets to English gardeners and horticulturalists. Deciding to go into business for himself Ryder re-located to the South. Here he founded the Heath and Heather Seed Company in St Albans in Hertfordshire. Business flourished and during 1906 his standing in society rose to such a level that he was chosen as mayor of St Albans. Over time Ryder's workaholic nature took it's toll on his health and he fell ill. His physicians recommended that he cut back on work, get more fresh air and he should take light. Despite the fact that he was an ardent cricket fan Ryder reluctantly decided to take up.
Few people who took up golf after their 50th birthday have left as many positive impressions on the game during the history of golf. To get started Ryder recruited the services of a golf professional called Hill from a local golf course to introduce him to the fundamentals of golf. Afterwards Ryder hired Abe Mitchell as his private tutor for a fee of £1,000 per year. Ryder received most of his lessons at his home, Marlborough House and he was relentless. He practiced his driving, pitching and putting six days each week.
At the age of 51 he had achieved a handicap of six and was accepted as a member of the Verulam Golf Club in St Albans in 1910. A year later he became captain of the golf club. He was also club captain in 1926 and 1927. In 1923 he sponsored the Heath and Heather Tournament which was only open to professionals. One of the golf professionals that took part was ex-gardener Abe Mitchell. Mitchell was considered to be one of best British golfers.
The unofficial historical golf match between British and American golfers at Wentworth Golf course effectively led to the creation of the Ryder Cup concept. Ryder took the concept and ran with it. At Ryder's instruction Mappin & Webb Co. designed the Ryder Cup trophy with a lid that is adorned by an image of Mitchell.
The inaugral official Ryder Cup Matches were held in June 1927, at the
Worcester, Country Golf Club, Massachuetsetts. Financing of £3,000
was required to enable the first
British Ryder Cup Team to participate. Samuel Ryder was required to make
up a £500 deficit due to a general lack of interest in the event.
British Ryder Cup history was made when James Taylor, Harry Vardon and
James Braid selected the very first British Ryder Cup team.
An appeal for £3,000 to finance the first was met with apathy and
fell £500 short of the goal, but Ryder made up the deficit. After
Ryder, the biggest single contribution was £210 from the Stock Exchange
Golf Society. With no Order of Merit money-winning list available, the
famed British triumvirate of Harry Vardon, James Braid and James Taylor
acted as team selection committee.
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