As the time continues to pass, the plans for the 34th Ryder Cup
begin to crystallise and the battle to host the event hots up, at
least in the press.
In the UK a decision is still to be made as to the 2009 venue.
The bidding process began last year with a board made up of the
PGA and the uropean Tour.
England (De Vere Slaley Hall), Scotland (several
venues) and Wales (Celtic Manor), who have all made bids, have
now been told that they must wait until the end of September, for
an announcement to be made. It is likely that this will coincide
with Ryder Cup week.
The original plan had been that an announcement would be made early
in 2001. It is quite likely that a decision has been postponed due
to the Scottish contingent who currently have several candidate
venues and need to make a final choice.
Scotland has not hosted a Ryder Cup since Muirfield in 1973 and
Wales has never hosted one, but England has hosted the event fourteen
times. The Welsh bid is considered a strong one, but many golf celebrities
seem to openly support a Scottish venue.
All the contingents are no doubt waiting with baited breath for
the outcome. There is much speculation as to whether Scotland has
this in the bag already, despite having nominated several venues
and that England has already had a fair crack of the whip. We shall
have to see. Whatever the decision may be, the 2009 Ryder Cup will
certainly be played at a fantastic venue.
