From Seve to Vassiliou – Europe loves the Ryder Cup
Tiger Woods and his US team-mates came agonizingly close to snatching golf's most coveted trophy last autumn, but as you can see the Ryder Cup is still very firmly in European hands.
Over the years, the historic chalice has been held by the sport's biggest names, from Seve Ballesteros and Colin Montgomerie to Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson. On 30 March, it was Androulla Vassiliou's turn, in her capacity as Commissioner responsible for sport.
The Commissioner was given temporary charge of the trophy whilst recording a film message which will be shown before the announcement of the host nation for the 2018 Ryder Cup. Germany, France, Spain, the Netherlands and Portugal are all bidding to host the biennial tournament; the decision will be announced on 17 May at Wentworth Club in Surrey, UK.
"I wish all the contenders the best of luck and I'm sure that whoever wins will stage a magnificent event," said Commissioner Vassiliou. "The Ryder Cup is a special tournament and the only major sporting event in which Europe plays together as a team. When Europe plays as a team, we're a match for anyone,” she added.
The Cup was also on display during a hearing on sport organised by the EPP Group at the European Parliament, where Commissioner Vassiliou gave the opening address.
- The next Ryder Cup tournament, in 2012, will take place at the Medinah Country Club, in Illinois, from September 28-30. José Maria Olazábal will be the second Spaniard following Seve Ballesteros to captain the European team.
- The Ryder Cup is among the last professional sporting events where the players compete for the honour of winning, and not for prize money.
- The first Ryder Cup match was played in 1927 between Great Britain and the US. Since 1979, the match has been played between the best players in Europe and the US.
- The competition is named after an English seed merchant, Samuel Ryder, who commissioned the solid gold chalice that bears his name. The trophy weighs just under 2 kilograms and measures 43 centimetres high and 23 cm wide from handle to handle.
