France get the 2018 Ryder Cup

Probably the right call, Spain has had it before and it will again. It is only fair that the event is distributed around a little more. Germany really ought to have turn too quite soon. The Scandinavians may feel hard done by but they don't really have the best of climates for Autumn golf and a German event isn't too far away for them.

Seems odd to give it to France though... hardly a breeding ground for Ryder cup golfers is it.

Can't see any point at all in France getting it?!? They've done very little for European golf and even less for the Ryder Cup and I can't really imagine the locals getting into the event when most of them have very little interest in the game.

I suppose with the Ryder Cup becoming one of the greatest sporting events in world sport there has to be a rubbish one with to make us appreciate how good the good ones are...

Possible that there would be no french golfers. I am sure this has happened many times before.

I can only think of Thomas Levet as a possible frenchman in the Ryder Cup. Is he French? And did he ever play?

Probable that there will be no French players. Maybe the committee is trying to work along the same lines as FIFA in stimulating interest in the game in countries that currently do not have a great interest in it.

Ryder Cup 2026 being held in Qatar? Watch this space...

No. You can't move it around too much or Israel will want a go as well.

The cynic in me thinks cash has more to do with this event now, as it does for the World Cup and Olympics. The bidders need to have a plan that shows a certain level of profit for the tour beforehand, tax incentives etc. When you look at the fiasco that is and will be 2012 London. The Olympic committee had to be guaranteed a certain level of money and tax breaks before being awarded the event. It then becomes the problem of the local organising committee to price the event. Look at the prices for 2012 tickets, even to watch lesbian wrestling etc. Crazy.

I don't believe the French have contributed enough in reality to be awarded the event. Surrender monkeys will hike up hotels, transport etc accordingley, and Sarkosy will get his photograph taken with a load of ex presidents. However I believe the yanks will not have a chance on that track as some of our players love it and can rip it up there.

LondonJonnyO wrote:No. You can't move it around too much or Israel will want a go as well.

I forgot that they were technically part of Europe! The Eurovision and European football prove it.

However, would that not technically be classed as a home for the US team - the economic boost would mean that they would not need to write them as many cheques...

sharrison01 wrote:

LondonJonnyO wrote:No. You can't move it around too much or Israel will want a go as well.

I forgot that they were technically part of Europe! The Eurovision and European football prove it.

However, would that not technically be classed as a home for the US team - the economic boost would mean that they would not need to write them as many cheques...

It might be funny though. With so many players visiting so many far flung places in the Arab world as the tour hits the middle east etc I have to wonder if Lee Westwood might get turned away at the borders when they have a look in his passport.

We joke about the Ryder Cup going to Qatar but given the amount of money Dubai and the like pump into the European tour how long before they explore the possibility of hosting it?

Especially as they could hold it at times of the year not possible in europe, possibly needed in the future as the schedule becomes ever tighter.

I'm just glad Spain didn't get it because of Seve's death*.

* No disrespect to Seve's memory

Those saying France hasn't done much for European golf - they have far more presence on Tour than anywhere else on mainland Europe bar Spain, and a lot of top young golfers coming through. Ok they don't have as much of a RC pedigree, only Van de Velde and Levet having played in it, but it shouldn't be given to somewhere like Germany or Italy on the basis of a couple of great players, when that country has no other golfers of note at all. Right decision for me.

NedB-H wrote:Those saying France hasn't done much for European golf - they have far more presence on Tour than anywhere else on mainland Europe bar Spain, and a lot of top young golfers coming through. Ok they don't have as much of a RC pedigree, only Van de Velde and Levet having played in it, but it shouldn't be given to somewhere like Germany or Italy on the basis of a couple of great players, when that country has no other golfers of note at all. Right decision for me.

I would have thought that the places like Sweden, Denmark and others have had more players than France over the years.

Fantastic golf course to take the Ryder Cup to.

LondonJonnyO wrote:

NedB-H wrote:Those saying France hasn't done much for European golf - they have far more presence on Tour than anywhere else on mainland Europe bar Spain, and a lot of top young golfers coming through. Ok they don't have as much of a RC pedigree, only Van de Velde and Levet having played in it, but it shouldn't be given to somewhere like Germany or Italy on the basis of a couple of great players, when that country has no other golfers of note at all. Right decision for me.

I would have thought that the places like Sweden, Denmark and others have had more players than France over the years.

Sweden I'll give you, although it won't go there anyway with the current date, as others have said. Doubt Denmark has though.

the dates are a bit dodgy for a lot of northern europe.

Portugal perhaps... they certainly have the courses and the weather. Although not the players.

The choice of which country to hold it in all depends on what the committee want from the event.

If it is to increase money in European golf then Italy/Portugal/Spain are automatically ruled out because it is still quite elitist and they are all basically broke.

Northern Europe will then struggle with the weather due to the time of year so of the larger golfing countries this leaves the UK, Germany and France. The UK has already enjoyed a lot of Ryder Cups because it will generally create the best event because of the passionate golfing fans but it also already has a large participation so doesn't really need the exposure.

This leaves France and Germany which are neither as exciting as the UK but can potentially spend a lot on golf. France will attract lots of fans from the UK, Spain and Italy because of it's geography and has a lot of golf courses that are largely unused so there is a big potential for growth of the game. Germany has a lot of money but would be reluctant to spend it such is their nature and would not attract as much tourism as France.

I think all in all, France would be the best option on a financial basis but I would be amazed if they could put on the type of Ryder Cup that we have seen in the UK/Ireland purely because they do not have enough golf fans.

I really don't get it as France will have something a little more restrained. You just can't see hundreds of fans around the practice area and first tee chanting 'theres only 2 Molinari's, or everyone wearing Rory wigs etc. The French golfer in general is conservative with a large C and only participate because they like to wear the clothes as a fashion statement, and the lady golgfers are all clothes horses walking the course with lap dogs as fashion accesories. I see a massive lack of atmosphere which will detract from the event. Even the losing team takes away brilliant memories of the crowds and the craque, as it's something they never experience in their normal working life. Yes the Brits will be there in numbers, but guess so too will a bunch of heavy handed course marshalls making it a different prospect

Doc wrote:I really don't get it as France will have something a little more restrained. You just can't see hundreds of fans around the practice area and first tee chanting 'theres only 2 Molinari's, or everyone wearing Rory wigs etc. The French golfer in general is conservative with a large C and only participate because they like to wear the clothes as a fashion statement, and the lady golgfers are all clothes horses walking the course with lap dogs as fashion accesories. I see a massive lack of atmosphere which will detract from the event. Even the losing team takes away brilliant memories of the crowds and the craque, as it's something they never experience in their normal working life. Yes the Brits will be there in numbers, but guess so too will a bunch of heavy handed course marshalls making it a different prospect

Probably spot on, sadly someone in france stumped up the most cash.

Having thought about the location of the venue, which is south west of paris, it should be very easy for the UK golf fan to get to. From central london it may be easier to get there than to the belfry or celtic manor.

You've never driven round La Peripherique I take it?

Traffic in western Paris is terrible.

Does this mean team europe has to change flag from the current one to a White one! Or starting serving cheese and wine to the players whilst teaching the art of how to surrender early!!!!!

In all seriousness I'm happy about it, makes it easier for me to attend another RC and its a fantastic course and those saying golf is not popular enough! Well how do expect it to raise its profile without such events, its virtually re-invented the sport in wales and done wonders for the welsh economy. This will help raise the game in france and hopefully mean less money from britain ploughed into france with the exception of tourism and it means the eurostar may finally start making some money!

Delighted, I am sure that France shall do Europe proud, easy to get to by plane/train(Paris) superb course, good range of hotels and having played the National twice i can say, what a stunning course it is, many a game shall be won/lost over the last 4 holes, only concern shall be the price in total as France is well dear for everything.......

I can understand the arguments put forward by those in favour, but on balance it's a "no" from me

Bad choice

I don't know enough about the alternatives or the process (judging criteria etc), but note that Geoff Ogilvy wrote a little while back that he favoured the French bid. If I recall correctly, this was mainly on the basis of the quality of the course and the potential drama/spectacle value of the last few holes. Coming from a major-winning matchplay specialist who was talking from the perspective of a knowledgeable neutral spectator, I'm inclined to believe him and look forward to it...

Westwood for captain?!? Having said that, it seems 40 is the new 30 for pro golfers these days, so he might still be playing in the team in 2018!

Thinking about it there may be a plus point.


The americans only turn up halfway through any war taking place on french soil

George1507 wrote:You've never driven round La Peripherique I take it?

Traffic in western Paris is terrible.

Fair point that, but then Celtic Manor is on the M4, and The Belfry is by the M6, M5 and M1, none of which are ideal for traffic either...

And as far as the continent goes generally, it's very handy for train and plane

I think that if you are not going to host the event at a historic / iconic venue, holding the event at a major cultural location greatly adds to the appeal. For example, the Barcelona Olympics was massively enriched by that city's cultural heritage... compare with the Atlanta Olympics.

Having been to the French Open, this course is pretty accessible from Paris on the RER. Am sure they will lay on fleets of courtesy buses etc, which means that this will be the first European Ryder Cup held near a major world city since Walton Heath in 1981. The Ryder Cup has moved on massively since then so it's about time it was hosted by a "world city". Spain were taking a similar approach by bidding for a Madrid event despite the fact that Spain's best known courses are all down in Andalucia. This greatly adds to the appeal of the whole event for many people, and certainly raises its profile.

If you are thinking about flying across from the US, a week in Paris is certainly more appealing than Newport or Birmingham and offers more than just golf to cater for the whole family.

Personally, I expect to be watching the event on TV and so my interest lies with the course, which is a great layout and has a real grandstand finish.

A good decision I think.

Good points raycastle, and george1507 I meant using the train to get out to the course.

From reading many of the posts on here and seeing the logic of the location I think they may have made a good decision. The have taken it out of the UK but left it right in the UK's doorstep.