RYDER CUP MATCH “BOUGHT”

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXI, Issue 159, 20 June 1931, Page 1 (Supplement)

RYDER CUP MATCH “BOUGHT”

CLUB PAYS £lOOO.

Behind the great international golf contest for the Ryder Cup, which is to be held in America this year, lies a remarkable story of How commercial considerations govern American golf. Arrangements for the match are made by the respective professional associations in England and America. It being America’s turn this year, the match was virtually put up for auction among the leading clubs. The club which has “bought” it—the Sciota Club, Ohio—has paid 5000 dollars (£1000) for the privilege of holding it. on its course on June 26 and 27, and has just sent a representative to England to meet the executive of the Professional Golfers’ Association. ‘ “Neither the British nor American teams will receive any percentage of the 5000 dollars,” a professional golfer told the “Sunday Chronicle.”

“The money goes to the United States Professional Golfers’ Association,” he said, “and it will be devoted toward paying the expenses of the American team which will come to England in 1933. The “Sciota Club, which has paid the money, rely on getting it back in gate receipts. The charge for admission ( will be three dollars a day, and any money taken in excess of the 5000 dollars will be divided equally between the club and the American Professional Golfers’ Association.”

It is expected that while the British golfers are in America dazzling inducements will be held out to them to take part in various exhibition games and matches with well-known American golfers.