Ryder Cup :: building the legacy

European Ryder Cup vice-captain Sam Torrance and Sky Sports presenter David Livingstone traveled to Bathgate Golf Club to launch the Ryder Cup ‘Club Toolkit’ initiative, encouraging clubs to build a legacy from September’s event.

Bathgate Golf Club is club rich in Ryder Cup history. Eric Brown and Bernard Gallacher, both Ryder Cup captains learned the game at Bathgate, and Bernard’s nephew Stephen Gallacher, also from Bathgate, is pushing for a place for this year’s event.

Ryder Cup ready ‘toolkit’

The toolkit provides clubs and ClubGolf facilities with a guide featuring ideas on how to maximise the countdown to Gleneagles. The pack includes: building junior membership, retaining members, generating more clubhouse revenue, attracting new golfers and increasing visitor numbers.

Sky Sports, who are televising the event, are also backing the club activity through a special ‘6 months for the price of 4’ subscription offer and the chance to become one of Sky Sports’ ‘Ultimate Venues’ during the week of the event.

Clubs are invited to apply for tickets which have been awarded by The Scottish Government as part of Scotland’s host nation allocation. Successful clubs will be rewarded with two tickets for match days and up to eight practice day tickets.

 “I’m sure those youngsters and volunteers attending will savour the experience and inspire them to stay involved in the game.”

“The Ryder Cup Ready Club Toolkit is a great idea, as there’s no better time for clubs to showcase themselves amid the buzz of The Ryder Cup,” said Sam Torrance, who holds the course record at Bathgate.

“It’s fantastic to see such as large proportion of tickets going to clubs across Scotland, giving the chance for club members to be part of what will be an amazing home crowd at Gleneagles.

“The practice days are also a fantastic spectacle and I’m sure those youngsters and volunteers attending will savour the experience and inspire them to stay involved in the game.”

How clubs can win

A total of 3,000 tickets will be provided to Scottish Golf from the Scottish Government, with 2,000 tickets being given to ClubGolf and 1,000 tickets awarded to the SGU and SLGA.  Each club will be invited to apply for tickets via the Scottish Golf Union and ClubGolf websites.

Four clubs across Scotland will be awarded the title of Sky Sports Ultimate Venue, each winning a 3D TV and a visit from The Ryder Cup trophy to their club for a day. These clubs will be selected based on running the most successful Ryder Cup themed activity during the summer.

video taken from http://www.rydercup.com