The "Times" Ryder Cup

This book features photographs, reports, statistics and background information of every Ryder Cup - from the original competition in the 1920s to the present day. Ever since the first informal match between the United States and Britain was played at Gleneagles in 1921, the matches between the two teams (Britain becoming Europe in 1979) have attracted the cream of international golf. The Ryder Cup has now become a unique sporting event in which two teams play for nothing other than the honour of taking part and the glory of winning the trophy. It has also become one of the most watched sporting events in the world - over 100 million viewers tuned in to watch Europe triumph again in 2004. The competition was given a formal status (and its name) when the informal matches attracted the attention of seed merchant Samuel Ryder - who had only started playing golf in his 50th year. Over champagne and chicken sandwiches he agreed to sponsor a competition and donate a cup that would be named in his honour. Thus the first Ryder Cup was born.
"The Times Ryder Cup" documents every match and background story of the informal years and then every competion since 1927, as well as the fundraising matches held during World War 2. It is a unique record of this famous event. It is also a record of some of the greatest golf matches ever staged in which some of the world's greats went head to head for nothing other than glory. The contents include: The Beginning; The Cup; The Early Years; Word War 2 and the 40s; Britain - one win, one tie - the 50s and 60s; The US in the 70s; The Europeans are coming - 80s and 90s; and From Odd to Even - The Ryder Cup in the 21st Century.