Over 9k Ryder Cup applications received

Gearing up: Gleneagles will stage the 2014 Ryder Cup match between Europe and the USA

Record response to volunteer programme makes mockery of criticism

Over 9,000 applications were received within the first 24 hours of the 2014 Ryder Cup Volunteer Programme launching – registrations arriving at four times the rate of previous home Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in Wales.

The massive response follows the release of 1,800 positions which need to be filled for next year’s match at Gleneagles, the first Ryder Cup on Scottish soil since the 1973 match at Muirfield.

Early indications show that 50% of all entries are from people based in Scotland.

In total, applications have been received from 46 different countries, reflecting the diverse global appeal of the world’s greatest golf event.

Applications from Scotland, England, USA, Ireland and Northern Ireland make up the top five, while entries have been received from countries ranging from  Equatorial Guinea and Estonia to India and Iceland.

Ryder Cup Europe Director Richard Hills said: “We are delighted by this fantastic response. We are extremely excited by the prospect of bringing The Ryder Cup to Scotland and this demonstrates the strength of interest and excitement in the event, particularly amongst the Scottish public.

“To have already achieved the most popular European Ryder Cup volunteer programme in history is fantastic.”

The huge response to the programme will be of considerable embarrassment to various Scottish politicians and the Scottish Trade Unions Council, who had blasted plans to charge volunteers £75 to work at the event.

Stephen Boyd of the STUC had said: “Clearly these jobs are open to middle-class people who are interested in golf, and have the money to spend on the registration fee.”

The huge response – and, indeed, the range of countries from which applications have been received – would suggest otherwise.

If you are interested in volunteering at what promises to be a tremendous celebration of golf in the country of its birth, there is still time to apply. The closing date for applications is midnight on April 14, 2013. Prospective volunteers can apply at the official website, www.rydercupvolunteers.com.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor