BACK TO THE BELFRY: The former spud farm gets a fourth shot at respect

Golf Digest, Sept, 2001 by John Barton

A British newspaper story in May revealed that the tour, having taken half the Cup pie, now eyes the whole thing. European tour boss Ken Schofield prematurely announced Celtic Manor in Wales as his choice for the 2009 venue, and was quoted as saying: "I think the days when the Ryder Cup made a profit of say, [pound]10 million and each side walks away with half will not wash anymore." And Schofield apparently has support of some key players. "The bottom line is, what does the PGA bring to the table?" Nick Faldo told Golf World. "They own the trophy. That's it."

All this came as a shock to the British PGA and the joint committee, which had yet to see formal proposals from the main '09 Cup contenders. Like its counterpart in America, the British PGA nurtured the event through its lean years. Says Sandy Jones, British PGA chief executive: "Our 50 percent is not up for sale or consideration. We're not going to step back from making a decision on the '09 venue. The PGA will not step back from its position with respect to the Ryder Cup."

The British PGA--the world's oldest PGA--celebrates its centennial in September with a fourth Ryder Cup in its front yard at The Belfry. The Cup goes to the K Club in Ireland in 2005, and the '09 contenders, besides Celtic Manor, are Slaley Hall in northern England, and Carnoustie, Turnberry, Loch Lomond and Gleneagles in Scotland. An official announcement on the venue is expected to come a week before this year's Ryder Cup. J.B.