In anticipation of the 42nd Ryder Cup, the golden trophy made a VIP visit through San Francisco during a two-week, 11-City, 9000-mile Ryder Cup Trophy Tour that kicked off in New York City on August 13, with U.S. Captain Jim Furyk presenting the trophy at the Statue of Liberty and the Yankees-Mets game. It will conclude September 16, in Pittsburg at the Chiefs-Steelers game. Then the trophy travels over the pond to Paris, France, where either the USA or European teams will take home the Ryder Cup after their three-day golf battle concludes at Le Golf National on September 30.
“The Ryder Cup Trophy Tour will allow fans across the country to celebrate and show support for the U.S. Ryder Cup Team, as well as present a special opportunity to see the iconic Trophy in person,” said Furyk. “As we prepare to compete against Europe in one of the most remarkable events in sports, we want to thank our fans by giving them a special chance to connect with the Trophy.”
The Ryder Cup Trophy is also making appearances at several high-profile sporting events and golf venues, including: Whistling Straits at Destination Kohler – Host of the 2020 Ryder Cup; Tour of Chicago, including Chicago Riverwalk and Cloud Gate; Bethpage Black – Host of the 2024 Ryder Cup (Bethpage, N.Y.); and the USC Trojans vs. Stanford Cardinal, where former Secretary of State and Stanford Professor, Condoleezza Rice will accompany trophy onto the field.
The Ryder Cup was founded on prestige rather than prize money, with the first event in 1927, won by the U.S. in 1927. Team USA is seeking to win back the Cup after getting trounced, 17-11, on their home turf two years ago at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota.
By Robert Kaufman