I'm not a golfer or even a particularly big fan of the sport, but every two years I'm glued to the TV cheering on the European teams versus the Americans in the Ryder Cup. There's something about tournaments that are about teams rather than individuals that appeal to me, and there have been some memorable tournaments over the years. During my student days, I also worked in catering, making prawn sandwiches for the Ryder Cup held at the Belfry in the Midlands.
This biennial golf competition was founded in 1927 and alternates between the United States and Europe. The tournament was named after British businessman Samuel Ryder, who donated the trophy, and the Ryder Cup was initially a competition between Great Britain and the United States (European players did not participate until 1979). .
Although this tournament has been held several times before, the first “official” event was held in 1927 at the Worcester Country Club in Massachusetts. As it became impractical to hold a British competition the following year, it was decided to hold the event every two years. year.
The second Ryder Cup was held in Yorkshire at Moortown Golf Club in Leeds. This tradition has given Mooretown Golf Club the best reputation to this day as the original event venue, and many Americans still come to play this historic course.
Back in 1929, hosting the Ryder Cup at Mooretown attracted the largest crowd ever to attend a golf competition in Britain. It appears that more than 15,000 people were on the course to watch the teams on the Saturday afternoon of the tournament.
British Ryder Cup team
Stewart Burns, Abe Mitchell, Whitcomb, California, Fred Robson. Ernie Whitcomb, Percy Alice, George Duncan (Captain), Henry Cotton, Archie Compston, Aubrey Boomer
Joe Turnesa, Al Watrous, Horton Smith, Ed. Dudley, Johnny Farrell, Bob Harlow (manager), Johnny Golden, Gene Sarazen, Walter Hagen, Al Espinosa, Leo Diegel.
Great Britain won a close match and took the lead in singles on the final day, finishing with 7 wins and 5 losses.
Below is a photo of Samuel Ryder presenting the Ryder Cup to Great Britain and Ireland captain George Duncan.
Mooretown Golf Club remains very proud to have hosted this event. At the top of the lane driving up to the club, you'll see a sign that proudly reads “1929 Ryder Cup Site.”
There are reminders of the day displayed around the clubhouse, including photos and memorabilia such as a copy of the post-match dinner menu held at the Queen's Hotel at Leeds Center. At the bottom it says “England won 7-5”, but the British team's captain, a proud Scotsman named George Duncan, was clearly unimpressed.
Moortown in North Leeds was chosen by the PGA to host the second Ryder Cup just 20 years after the club was founded, with just four months' notice given to prepare for the two-day event. In preparation, the course was extended by 300 yards to increase the length of the holes.
As well as being set on beautiful North Leeds heathland, the course was laid out by Dr Alistair McKenzie, perhaps golf's most famous golf course architect. He wrote the famous book on golf course design, Golf Architecture, and was also involved in the design of the famous Augusta Golf. Courses in America.
In 1929, before the tournament, the American team sailed to England to practice for 10 days and become accustomed to British conditions. But on Wednesday, before the competition began, Yorkshire's winter arrived early and snow blanketed the course where both teams were practicing separately. Apparently the Americans continued practicing with two spare pullovers and mittens.
The tournament itself was held in cold and windy conditions, with snow covering the greens.
Considering that the Ryder Cup was once held at this relatively small club in Yorkshire, it is amazing that it has now become such a huge global event.
The legacy of the 1929 event continues to this day, with the women's section hosting its own “Ryder Cup” each year, donated by Samuel Ryder, the same man who donated the original men's trophy. The Moortown Ladies Ryder Cup was donated by the riders to the women of the club as a thank you for all their help and support during the event.
Thanks to Peter Rishworth and Moortown Golf Club for the use of the images on this blog.
