Ryder Cup Europe’s first Symposium, designed to reconfirm the bidding criteria for The 2018 Ryder Cup, was hailed a success after delegates from the six nations seeking to host The 2018 Ryder Cup gathered in London.
Representatives from France, Germany, Holland, Portugal, Spain and Sweden assembled at the Sheraton Heathrow Hotel on the outskirts of London yesterday for the Symposium to listen to presentations outlining the bid requirements.
Richard Hills said: “It speaks volumes for the global interest in The Ryder Cup that we have six nations eager to host The 2018 match.
“Today’s Symposium has been an enormously successful exercise for Ryder Cup Europe and these six nations who have expressed a deep desire to stage the second Ryder Cup on Continental Europe.
“We described the symposium to the delegates as ‘Operation Level Playing Field’. We have been transparent in issuing the six nations the important guidelines associated with the evaluation and validation of the bid.
“We have emphasised to the six potential nations that they are engaging on a fair and level process as well as providing a timeline with regards to the mechanical aspects of the bidding process.”
Attending the Bid Symposium were leading figures from The European Tour, the Managing Partner of Ryder Cup Europe, and representatives from The Ryder Cup Policy Board, including the Professional Golfers’ Association and the PGAs of Europe.
In addition, a panel of influential independent observers – Nick Bitel, Jaime Byrom and Michael Payne – were able to offer their expert advice.
The delegates listened to presentations outlining the bid process, The Ryder Cup structure, commercial and brand development, infrastructure, media and environmental issues.
Essential to the bid criteria is a commitment to the development of a world-class golf facility to host The 2018 Ryder Cup, the provision of ancillary facilities and infrastructure commensurate with the staging of an international sporting event, Government and Private Sector support, commercial opportunities and the contribution of the Bidding Nation to the development of golf.
The deadline for the submission of bids has been set for 30 April, 2010, and the Host Nation of the 42nd edition of the biennial contest between Europe and the United States, started in 1927, will be announced in 2011.