The Ryder Cup is widely regarded as one of the most eagerly awaited golfing spectacles on the planet, although the biennial competition derives its name from a legendary figure who abstained from playing the sport for most of his life.
This year’s Ryder Cup boasts an abundance of marquee names in action, with Scottie Scheffler revealing his perspective on partnering with Bryson DeChambeau while newcomer J.J. Spaun admitted that “everyone is nervous” before this weekend’s proceedings.
Well before the prestigious tournament made its way to Bethpage Black, Samuel Ryder conceived a vision for a friendly golfing contest between the United States and Great Britain.
Born in 1858, Ryder accumulated substantial wealth by distributing seeds in small packages by mail.
The Manchester-born entrepreneur ultimately relocated to St. Albans, situated just beyond London, where he assumed the positions of mayor and justice of the peace.
It was only at age 49 that Ryder discovered golf through his dear friend, Reverend Frank Wheeler, who advised him, “What you need is fresh air and exercise. Come out with me on the golf course and hit a few balls.”
Ryder quickly cultivated a passion for the game, ultimately functioning as a greens committee member at his neighborhood golf club for two decades.
In 1926, he funded a trophy that would be presented to the victor of a casual match between golfers from the United States and United Kingdom. Announcing the event at Wentworth Golf Club, the papers wrote at the time: “Mr. S. Ryder, of St. Albans, has presented a trophy for annual competition between teams of British and American professionals.
“The first match for the trophy is to take place at Wentworth on June 4th and 5th.”
In the buildup to the inaugural tournament, a general strike in Britain prevented many Americans from traveling across the Atlantic — forcing the Stars and Stripes to fill their roster with substitutes. The United States still emerged triumphant, securing a commanding 9.5-2.5 victory.
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A decade after organizing the first-ever Ryder Cup, Ryder died at the age of 77 in Portland Place, London.
The press paid tribute to his enormous contributions to golf, writing: “The devotion of Mr Ryder to the game of golf was shown during the match at Southport over two years ago when he travelled to the North under the care of a nurse.
“On each of the two days of the match Mr Ryder had to be assisted into a car to travel to the course. There he was helped to a seat in the open from from which he would view a part of the course.
“A great believer in British golf standards he resented strongly an assertion that our Ryder Cup team of 1931 was a collection of ‘has beens’. He offered a wager of £1,000 that the British players would prove their superiority over the Americans.”