June 20, 2019: The European Tour, the Managing Partner of Ryder Cup Europe LLP, today unveils its new ‘Ryder Cup Committee’ whose aim is to enhance the commercial and brand value of one of the world’s leading sporting events. The Committee will include influential figures from the worlds of both business and sport.
Chaired by Sir Damon Buffini, a non-executive director on the European Tour Board, the Ryder Cup Committee comprises:
? Paul McGinley: European Tour Board Member and Europe’s victorious 2014 Ryder Cup Captain
? Ian Ritchie: Chairman of Premiership Rugby, former CEO of the Rugby Football Union and the All England Lawn Tennis Club
? Richard Scudamore: Former Premier League Executive Chairman and Chief Executive
? Keith Pelley: European Tour Chief Executive
? Guy Kinnings: European Tour Deputy CEO, Ryder Cup Director and Chief Commercial Officer
Played biennially between the best golfers from Europe and the United States, The Ryder Cup has demonstrated substantial growth over the past two decades and since its inception in 1927.
Indeed, a report compiled by researchers from Sheffield Hallam University’s Sport Industry Research Centre and published earlier this month, found The Ryder Cup boosted economic activity in France by some €235.7 million.
Utilising their experience from across the sporting and business sectors, the Ryder Cup Committee will seek to build on these strong foundations by exploring opportunities to grow revenues and profits from The 2022 Ryder Cup in Italy and beyond.
This includes closer collaboration with the PGA of America – the managing partner of The Ryder Cup in the United States – through the expansion of the worldwide partner and supplier programme. The Committee will also oversee investment in Ryder Cup infrastructure to enhance delivery in key areas including sales, hospitality, ticketing and merchandise.
European Tour Chairman David Williams said: “The success of The 2018 Ryder Cup in France demonstrated the global appeal of the modern-day Ryder Cup, but there remains significant growth potential. This Committee will look at ways of optimising that while also protecting the contest’s rich heritage.
“In many ways, the Ryder Cup Committee mirrors precisely what we have on the Board of the European Tour in terms of a balance between sports professionals and business leaders. It is also illustrative of the best practices of corporate governance that I am proud we have initiated in recent years.
“I am delighted to welcome Ian and Richard to the Committee. They will bring valuable insight from their time in the business of other sports, to add to the considerable golfing expertise brought by Paul, Keith and Guy.
“And in Sir Damon, who has worked alongside me on the European Tour Board since 2015, the Committee has a Chairman who is one of the most experienced businessmen in the country.”
Alan White, Chairman of the PGA of Great Britain and Ireland, the Founding Partner of The Ryder Cup who work alongside the PGAs of Europe and the European Tour in Ryder Cup Europe LLP, said: “As custodians of The Ryder Cup since its inception in 1927, we are delighted to see its continued growth, development and global recognition.
“We have every confidence that this new Ryder Cup Committee will further enhance all elements of the commercial and brand value of The Ryder Cup, while remaining true to the heritage, history and values of this incredible sporting event.”
A record 270,000 fans flocked to Le Golf National on the outskirts of Paris last September to witness Europe, under the astute captaincy of Dane Thomas Bjørn, triumph 17 ½ – 10 ½ over Jim Furyk’s much vaunted United States team.
The victory was Europe’s seventh in the last nine contests and the 11th in total since the match was expanded, in 1979, to include players from Continental Europe and not merely Great Britain and Ireland.
Away from Le Golf National, the interest was just as intense with the three day match broadcast over 40 global TV networks to a total household reach of some 620 million. There were also more than 22 billion social media impressions across the week – the highest in the event’s history.
European Tour Release
