The PGA of America, PGA Tour and the R&A jointly announced that the Ryder Cup and President’s Cup are postponed for one year and rescheduled to 2021 and 2022 respectively.
Well it beats having a Ryder Cup with no fans…which is what we get for the PGA Championship and likely the U.S. Open. From the announcement:
The 43rd Ryder Cup, scheduled for September 22-27, at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin, has been rescheduled for September 21-26, 2021.
Likewise, the Presidents Cup, initially slated for September 30-October 3, 2021, at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, will now be played September 19-25, 2022.
The decision to reschedule the Ryder Cup was based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and in conjunction with the state of Wisconsin and Sheboygan County, with the health and well-being of all involved as the top priority.
“Unlike other major sporting events that are played in existing stadiums, we had to make a decision now about building facilities to host the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits,” said PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh. “It became clear that as of today, our medical experts and the public authorities in Wisconsin could not give us certainty that conducting an event responsibly with thousands of spectators in September would be possible. Given that uncertainty, we knew rescheduling was the right call.””
The decision is best while we sort through the recent uptick in cases. Is it a second wave or merely herd immunity? Likely the latter, but for season, it’s safest to wait and see. Guerilla events across the country have seen mixed luck – most have gone off without a hitch, but some have caused slight local flare-ups.
Happily, Wisconsin gets to keep its turn for the Ryder Cup. Whistling Straits is a brilliant venue for tournaments or for a vacation, hard by blustery Lake Michigan, and Wisconsinites are among the most knowledgeable, kindest, and passionate golf fans in the world. Three PGA Championships have been contested there, crowning Vijay Singh, Martin Kaymer, and Jason Day.
With the decision to play the 2020 Ryder Cup in September 2021, all subsequent Ryder Cups after Whistling Straits will also shift to odd years: 2023/Marco Simone Golf and Country Club (Rome, Italy); 2025/Bethpage Black (Farmingdale, New York); 2027/Adare Manor (County Limerick, Ireland); 2029/Hazeltine National Golf Club (Chaska, Minnesota); 2031/Europe (to be determined); 2033/The Olympic Club (San Francisco); 2035/Europe (to be determined); 2037/Congressional Country Club (Bethesda, Maryland).
The 2022 President’s Cup will; be played at North Carolina’s Quail Hollow club. Milquetoast golf course, but the food, beverage, and goodie bags will wow the players and WAGs as they preen for the cameras. The best thing about tournaments at Quail Hollow is you – yes you! the fans – get to play at places
like Tobacco Road, Pinehurst, Old Town, Pine Needles, and the Dormie Club. Let the Tour players have Quail. There are still at least ten better public golf courses within spitting distance, and a few great private clubs too.
