Change to Ryder Cup trophy ceremony

A NEW format for the trophy presentation is being introduced at next month’s Ryder Cup at Gleneagles to avoid spectators becoming frustrated by a lengthy wait to see the winning team earn their prize.

Preparationson the 18th green for the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. Picture: Ian Rutherford

It had become normal practice for the presentation to take place at the same site as the opening ceremony, which, in this instance, will be in front of the iconic hotel at the Perthshire resort. However, a special stage is being built at the side of the 18th hole on the PGA Centenary Course to allow it to happen on this occasion as soon as possible after the match has ended.

“We are doing something different with the trophy presentation this year,” Edward Kitson, Ryder Cup Europe’s match director, told The Scotsman.

“The opening ceremony is up in front of the hotel, which is great, and will hold over 25,000 people.

“One of the big challenges at the Ryder Cup, though, has come at the conclusion of play and what we are aiming to achieve is that as soon as the matches are finished we will be having the trophy presentation, which will be shorter and sweeter.

“It will take place on a stage that is being built on the left of the 18th and we think it is a good thing because one of the ­frustrations for both TV and spectators in the past is that the trophy presentation hasn’t taken place until an hour after the match has finished.”