The Ryder Cup is a historical and massive golfing event that takes place every two years. The battle between the best golfers from Europe and the best from the United States has produced some amazing stories. These stories have played out against the background of some of the world’s most famous golf courses.
What is the Ryder Cup?
The Ryder Cup competition takes place every two years. It’s a team-based competition between the best golfers in Europe and the best in the United States. It officially began in 1927 at Worcester Country Club in Worcester, Massachusetts with Great Britain against the US. In 1979 it expanded to include other European players beyond those in Great Britain and Ireland (who were eligible once the competition resumed after the war).
The venues for this competition alternated between the United States and Great Britain until Europe joined, where the options for host countries widened.
We have profiled the courses and resorts that you can book through Glencor Golf Holidays, both at home and abroad. Allowing you to experience the best Ryder Cup courses around Europe!
Where are future Ryder Cups being held?
The future Ryder Cup venues have already been announced all the way up until 2029, with some stunning golf courses on show.
- The 2023 Ryder Cup will be held at the stunning Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, just on the edge of the historic city of Rome, Italy.
- The 2025 Ryder Cup will be back in the US at Bethpage Black course in New York. This prestigious course has hosted three majors in the past, two US Opens and a PGA Championship, making it no stranger to big competitions.
- 2027 will see the Ryder Cup back in Europe at the very traditional parkland course of Adare Manor. Ranked among the best in Ireland.
- Finally, 2029 will see the Ryder Cup heading to Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota. A recent Ryder Cup course, this venue hosted the tournament in 2016 where we saw the US snatch the trophy back from Europe having lost the previous 3 consecutive Ryder Cups. Will 2029 bring the same drama? Only time will tell.
Follow In The Footsteps Of Your Heroes With A Golf Break At These Former Ryder Cup Venues!
2018 – Le Golf National (Albatros Course)
The 42nd Ryder Cup was held in a suburb southwest of Paris, France. This event saw Europe take the Ryder Cup from the United States. The captains were Thomas Bjorn for the victorious Europeans, and Jim Furyk for the US. This tournament saw Sergio Garcia leapfrog the legendary Nick Faldo to become the highest point scorer of all time.
The course here was designed by Hubert Chesneau and Robert Von Hagge, in collaboration with Pierre Thevenin. Construction began in the summer of 1987. Since 1991, it has hosted nearly all of the Open de France events on the European Tour so you can be sure of its quality.
If you want to stay and play here yourself, you can check into the Novotel Saint-Quentin Golf National, which is the on-site hotel. With regular flights and the Eurotunnel giving direct trains to Paris, this is the perfect destination for a weekend away to tick off that bucket list experience!
2014 – Gleneagles (PGA Centenary Course)
Paul McGinley’s European team faced off against veteran Tom Watson’s United States at the 40th Ryder Cup in Perth & Kinross, just outside of Edinburgh. It was McGinley’s men that picked up the trophy after five point victory with the score ending 161⁄2 points to 111⁄2.
This luxurious five-star resort is a treat both on and off the course. Alongside the 205 bedrooms and 28 suites are a spa, gymnasium and swimming pool, as well as the opportunity to experience shooting, fishing and horse riding. This place offers way more than just incredible golf.
2010 – Celtic Manor (TwentyTen Course)
Hosted in 2010, this stunning Ryder Cup location in Wales had the Twenty Ten course specifically constructed for the event. Colin Montgomerie’s European team faced off against Corey Pavin’s United States. The Europeans were victorious by just one point.
This is one of the UK’s most popular venues for a golfing weekend away. With a huge range of facilities including a spa, gymnasium, bars and restaurants, there are packages that can suit all budgets. A popular choice is to book the ‘Ryder Cup Two Course Package’ to stay one night with breakfast included, play the stunning Twenty Ten and another round on either the Roman Road or Montgomerie course.
2006 – The K Club (Palmer Course)
Arguably Ireland’s most iconic golf resort, this five-star haven played host to the 36th Ryder Cup. This saw captain Ian Woosnam and the Europeans dominate Tom Lehman’s United States by 181⁄2 to 91⁄2 points. Swede sensation Henrik Stenson clinched the winning putt.
Situated in the beautiful Kildare countryside, the Palmer course is fairly long at 7,337 yards and par of 72. The luxury hotel on-site ensures the quality continues off the course. With flights and ferries to Dublin on regular basis this is another cracking weekend retreat.
1997 – Valderrama
The 32nd Ryder Cup saw the European team win 141⁄2 to 131⁄2 to retain the trophy and keep it in Europe. Seve Ballesteros’ men held off a dramatic late comeback from Tom Kite’s United States team.
Having opened in 1974, this Robert Trent Jones track stretches 6,390m and has a par of 71. Still considered one of the best courses in Spain, we can easily add this course into any bespoke golf break package in the Sotogrande or Costa Del Sol region. The green fee rates are considered premium, but this is one of those experiences which you’ll never forget.
1989 – The Belfry (Brabazon Course)
The 28th Ryder Cup ended all square at 14 points apiece. But, the European team retained the trophy as they were the previous winners a couple of years earlier. This was a landmark event as it was the first Ryder Cup held in Europe to be televised live in the United States via USA Network on cable. This paved the way for the competition’s profile to be significantly increased when – in 1991 – NBC Sports took over live coverage.
The Belfry’s Brabazon course is a par 72 designed by Dave Thomas and Peter Allis. Here you can stay and play in the on-site four-star hotel, which has a huge range of facilities including a nightclub. Incredibly popular due to its quality and central location in the UK, this is well worth considering if you are traveling with a partner for a weekend away or a group golf break.
1977 & 1961 – Royal Lytham & St Annes
In 1977, the 22nd Ryder Cup teams were captained by Welshman Brian Huggett for the Great British and Irish team, while Dow Finsterwald captained the United States. This saw the US win by 121⁄2 to 71⁄2 points. Notably, this event was the last one for Great Britain and Ireland as a team, before they were expanded to include players from other European nations.
The 1961 event was the 14th Ryder Cup and saw a victorious United States, captained by Jerry Barber, win with 141⁄2 to 91⁄2 points against Dai Rees’ Great Britain.
Despite hosting the event over 40 years ago, this golf course is still one of the finest around – it’s also played host to 11 Open Championships, so you know you are playing something incredibly special.
We have a range of hotel options in Lytham for you to stay in. And with green fees available on this course as well as other local courses such as St Annes Old Links and Lytham Green Drive, you can easily build the perfect golfing break package.
1969 & 1965 – Royal Birkdale
The 18th Ryder Cup was held in Southport at the stunning Royal Birkdale where the competition ended in a draw at 16 points apiece. This was Jack Nicklaus’ first Ryder Cup, although it was marred by what many considered bad sporting behavior from both teams. It got so heated that captains Eric Brown (Great Britain) and Sam Snead (US) had to dampen tensions in their respective teams.
Hopefully, your chance to play this golf course is far less heated! We offer bespoke golf tours in Southport with green fees at this prestigious course should you desire.
1949 – Ganton Golf Club
The 8th Ryder Cup brought the competition to Yorkshire, at the magnificent Ganton Golf Club just outside of Scarborough. Ben Hogan’s United States beat Team Great Britain 7 to 5. This was a notable victory as Hogan was a non-playing captain. It was part of his remarkable comeback following a horrific accident in the February of that year that caused a number of serious injuries including a fractured pelvis. Such was the extent of his injuries that he suffered near fatal blood clots, with doctors warning him he may never walk again. By November, he had resumed his golf activities and returned to the PGA tour in 1950.
Ganton Golf Club now forms part of our York golf break packages as it is approximately 50 minutes away. This way you can stay in the beautiful historic city of York with its bustling nightlife whilst experiencing the bustling nightlife and vast area of quality restaurants!
1937 & 1933 – Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club
Due to the outbreak of World War II in 1939, the 6th Ryder Cup in 1937 was the last time the event was run for a decade, with the United States defeating Great Britain by 8 points to 4.
The 4th Ryder Cup, held at the same venue just four years earlier, saw the Great Britain team come out on top by just a single point. This turned out to be Great Britain’s last win until 1957 due to the pause for the war and the dominance of the US thereafter.
Another Ryder Cup host venue to potentially add to a Southport golf tour, along with Royal Birkdale, this could end up becoming the bucket trips of bucket trips.
1929 – Moortown Golf Club
Host of only the 2nd ever Ryder Cup, this event was reported to be incredibly cold, with hail and heavy snow making an appearance in Yorkshire. It seemed like Great Britain was the team able to cope with it best, raising the trophy after a victory of 7 points to 5.
On the outskirts of Leeds, Moortown Golf Club is the ideal course to add to either a Leeds or Harrogate golf break. We have plenty of city centre accommodation in Leeds, so you can take advantage of the busy nightlife. Or why not escape to the Spa town of Harrogate, which is 20 minutes away and slightly quieter for nightlife although is very picturesque and home to a number of fantastic golf courses as well.
Book Your Next Golf Break With Glencor Golf
Whether you’re looking to play at a classic Ryder Cup venue, or you’re looking for a golf break in the sun, Glencor Golf’s friendly team of experts are here to help you out. Get in touch today, to book your next golf getaway!