Ryder Cup

HOME OF THE RYDER CUP

Verulam is a golf club steeped in history. However, one piece of history singles out Verulam in golfing folklore - it is the home Samuel Ryder, founder of the Ryder Cup, was born in Preston, Lancashire on 24th March, 1858. Early in the 20th century he was ordered by the doctors to abandon the game of cricket due to a breakdown in health, with golf the beneficiary. He took up the sport and it soon became his driving passion. He joined Verulam Golf Club in 1909 and only two years later, having proved his ability as a player, he He was both impressed and concerned about the American professionals who were pillaging the British tournaments, so he set out to improve the standard of the

Verulam is a golf club steeped in history. However, one piece of history singles out Verulam in golfing folklore - it is the home of the Ryder Cup. He paid for golfers to travel to tournaments and hired Abe Mitchell as his personal Samuel Ryder, founder of the Ryder Cup, was born in Preston, Lancashire professional, largely to free him to play full-time.on 24th March, 1858. Early in the 20th century he was ordered by the doctors to abandon the game of cricket due to a breakdown in health, with golf the beneficiary. It was in 1926 when a group of Americans were here for the British Open that they played an unofficial match against a British team, with the British team coming He took up the sport and it soon became his driving passion. He joined away victorious. Verulam Golf Club in 1909 and only two years later, having proved his There was a party after the match and Sam Ryder agreed to put up a trophy for an ability as a player, he was appointed Club Captain. annual match, subsequently changed to biannual. The trophy, which is solid gold, He was both impressed and concerned about the American was made by Mappin and Webb with a figure on top that is, allegedly, Abe Mitchell.professionals who were pillaging the British tournaments, so he set out to improve the standard of the English game. He paid for golfers to travel to tournaments and hired Abe Mitchell as his personal professional, largely to free him to play full-time. It was in 1926 when a group of Americans were here for the British Open that they played an unofficial match against a British team, with the home side proving victorious. There was a party after the match and Sam Ryder agreed to put up a trophy for an annual match, subsequently changed to biannual. The trophy, which is solid gold, was made by Mappin and Webb with a figure on top that is, allegedly, Abe Mitchell.

HOME OF THE RYDER CUP

In 1927, the trophy made its first appearance at the inaugural Ryder Cup match held in America, with the United States team coming away victorious.

Over 80 years after the initial match, teams from both America and now Europe still do battle every other year and the Ryder Cup is one of the biggest events worldwide in terms of audience participation, with huge TV and commercial sponsorship.

Today, Verulam Golf Club still honours Sam Ryder. A replica of the Ryder Cup trophy is played for annually, following the same format as the illustrious tournament, while a putter owned by Sam Ryder which was made by George Brews, a club maker at Royal Blackheath, is on display in the clubhouse and the present day Captain sits in the Captain’s Chair that Sam Ryder presented to the club. While Sam Ryder’s impact on Verulam Golf Club and golf worldwide is immeasurable, his impact on the city of St Albans is also considerable.

After being elected to the town council in 1903, he continued to increase his political influence, being elected mayor in 1905 and surprising fellow councillors with an uncomplimentary assessment of the council’s achievements.

He remained a councillor until 1916 and the rest, as they say, is history!