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Among the more popular items to be kept in self storage units, is seasonal sports equipment such as golf clubs. From the 1st-3rd October this year, many avid golf fans will be perched on the edge of their seats as the Ryder Cup commences. This year is said to be particularly exciting, with Europe tipped to snatch the Ryder Cup back from the USA over the weekend. The course was constructed in 2006, and 1.1million tons of earth were shifted for the construction.
The Ryder Cup is a golfing competition between Europe and the United States. The competition began in 1927 between the British Isles and the USA. Winners were considerably even until after the Second World War, when the US dominated winnings for many years. In 1979, the decision was made to extend the British and Irish team to include continental Europe. All tournaments are held in the UK or US, aside from two, which took place in Spain in 1997, and Ireland in 2006. 
There is a long standing debate over who had the idea of starting the Ryder cup. One of the more popular theories is as follows: after three unofficial games in 1920, 1921 and 1926, Samuel Ryder was present at the second 1926 game, and suggested it was made official. Ryder then donated the trophy and the Ryder Cup was founded.
Ryder himself did not take up golf until after his 50th birthday. He allegedly paid a tutor £1000 per year to coach him to success. He was relentless and practiced six days per week, leaving him with a handicap of six at the age of 51. One further year of practice and he was captain of the gold club.
Golfing heros such as Ryder, Abe Mitchell, Ted Ray and Walter Hagen were all present at the 1926 match that led to the birth of the Ryder Cup tournament. The first Ryder cup was in Massachussetts in 1927, with the cup donated by Samuel Ryder, along with an agreement to pay £5 to the each member of the winning team. The Competition has been Biennial since 1927, aside from 1939-1945, when it was cancelled due to World War II. The 2001 match was also delayed for 1 year, as it was due to take place shortly after the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Centre. The Ryder Cup has since been held in even numbered years rather than odd. The boards hosting the 2002 Ryder Cup still read “The 2001 Ryder Cup Team”, and Curtis Strange, US Captain, still referred to him team as the “2001 Ryder Cup Team” in his speeches. Europe claimed a hat-trick in the years 2002-2006, but the cup was won back by the US in 2008, leaving an open playing field for this years tournament.
An estimated 620 million viewers are expected to tune in to watch the Ryder Cup over the next three days. The 2010 tournament is the 38th Ryder Cup, and will be held in Newport, South Wales. Huge stars such as Tiger Woods will compete for their team for the title. The three day match has become not just one of the highlights for the golfing world, but a massive sporting event in general. 
The United States won the last Ryder Cup, which was hosted in Kentucky in 2008. They are therefore attempting to defend their title in the 2010 competition. However, this appears to have impelled the European side into sheer determination and confidence. Colin Montgomerie asserts this confidence with these words
“I am convinced if my side can play to their potential they should win […] We don’t need to be motivated – that came by losing two years ago. It is our job now to win it back.”
Montgomerie is a Scottish-born professional golfer known for his extraordinary performances in the Ryder cup. He has allegedly prepared a losing speech, but has no doubt in his mind that it will be redundant after the weekend’s performance. Montgomerie suspects this will be the last Ryder Cup he will partake in. However, when the Guardian newspaper questioned him on this, he uttered the words “we will see”.
So all you golfing fans will be inspired to dig out your golf clubs from storage facilities and make way to wales’ astonishing courses for some practice in the coming months.
