Monty: It’s shaping up well

Ryder Cup captain is pleased with form of his potential team members

Colin Montgomerie has admitted that, six months to the day when he will stand on the first tee at the Celtic Manor Resort to herald the start of the Ryder Cup, he is delighted at the way his potential European team is taking shape.

The 46-year-old Scot, who has played in eight of the biennial contests against the United States and is the third highest European points scorer in history behind Nick Faldo and Bernhard Langer, also conceded he cannot believe how quickly the start of the match is approaching.

“When I was appointed captain in Dubai last January there was around 16 months to go… now we are down to just six,” he said. “You can feel the excitement building as each week goes by and I am at the stage now where I can’t wait for it all to being in earnest.

“As far as my team is concerned – although I appreciate there is still a fair way to go in the qualification process – I have to say I’m delighted with the way things are progressing. Everyone knows any Ryder Cup team has to possess a crucial blend of practiced experience and talented youth and we have both of those elements near the top of the rankings at the moment.

“The reason for this surge of talent is simple; standards are rising due to increased competition among the players. All the guys who are currently in the automatic qualification spots and those just on the fringes are battling week after week to prove how much they want to play in the Ryder Cup.

“By their good play and each wanting to outdo each other’s achievements, they are actually bringing out the best in each other and, as captain, that is exactly what I want to see.”

Spectators wishing to witness at first hand which 12 players eventually form Montgomerie’s team during Ryder Cup week itself are reminded that they can still do so as the second ballot is still open until mid April.

Spectators also have the opportunity to immediately buy practice day yickets for Tuesday, September 28, Wednesday, September 29, and Thursday, September 30, in addition to applying for match day tickets through the ballot, both of which can be accessed through the Ryder Cup website,www.rydercup.com/tickets

Practice day tickets for Tuesday (September 28) and Wednesday (September 29) cost £30 each – on these two days there is also a special concession for under 16s with tickets priced at £15 – and for Thursday when the opening ceremony takes place, the price is £40 (concessions £20).

A limit of eight tickets per household is being applied to the purchase of practice day tickets although Ryder Cup Europe will work with golf clubs and societies to ensure, wherever possible, large group numbers can be accommodated especially when this includes Juniors. There will be a maximum of four tickets for any match day for each household.

Ryder Cup Europe’s second formal offer for a match destined to deliver one of the greatest weeks in the sporting history of Wales takes in match day tickets for Friday (October 1) and Saturday (October 2) at £100 and for Sunday (October 3) at £130. There are several season ticket options ranging from £140 to £430 and spectators opting for a six-day international pavilion ticket – costing £950 – will have access to an upgraded facility with a sports bar theme containing seating, television and food and drink purchase points.

There is a half price concession throughout the week including the international pavilion – a ‘premium’ ticket being offered to the public for the first time – for the disabled, and if he or she requires a carer then that ticket can also be purchased at half price.

Successful candidates from the second public ticket ballot will be determined, as was the case in the first ballot, through a computerised random lottery draw to take place this Spring. Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified of the result by email.

Meanwhile, anyone wishing to secure admission to experience the atmosphere of golf’s greatest team event in the company of friends or colleagues can do so by purchasing official Ryder Cup Hhospitality packages for tables of ten or chalets of 30 or 50 people. Details of those packages can be purchased via www.rydercuphospitality.com

Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor of bunkered