Commerce Cabinet
Commonwealth to Host 2008 Ryder Cup – Sept. 16-21

(Frankfort, KY) – The 37th Ryder Cup will be contested Sept. 16-21, 2008, at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky. The PGA of America announced the dates as Valhalla prepares to host the largest international sports event ever conducted in Kentucky.

“It is an honor for Kentucky to be the site of the 2008 Ryder Cup,” said Gov. Ernie Fletcher. “The week of September 16 through the 21st will give us a chance to show the world what Kentucky is all about. With 14 international sporting events coming to Kentucky over the next five years, the Commonwealth is truly a major player in the international sports world.”

Kentucky is only the third state to have hosted three of the four PGA of America Major Championships: PGA Championship – 1996 and 2000, Senior PGA Championship – 2004, Ryder Cup – 2008. The 2002 PGA Professional National Championship was also played at Valhalla.

Gov. Fletcher created the Ryder Cup Advisory Committee to work with the Kentucky Sports Authority to ensure the state and the PGA of America and the 2008 Ryder Cup receives maximum benefit and exposure from the event. The event is expected to bring in more than 210,000 spectators. An expected 250 companies will purchase corporate hospitality packages. The economic impact is expected to exceed $115 million. NBC and its cable partner will carry 26 hours of coverage; 545 million viewers in 177 different countries and territories will watch the event. An estimated 1,500 worldwide media members will cover the event.

“The PGA of America joins the City of Louisville and the Commonwealth of Kentucky with great anticipation of the 37th Ryder Cup coming to Valhalla Golf Club,” said PGA of America President Roger Warren. “Kentuckians know what it means to be outstanding hosts and model sports fans. The 37th edition of the Ryder Cup will be the opportunity to showcase Louisville, Kentucky and the game of golf to the world.”

Valhalla Golf Club, ranked No. 70 in the most recent list of “America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses,” by Golf Digest, was the site of perhaps the most memorable of Tiger Woods’ 10 major championships.

The Ryder Cup spans 35 competitions over 79 years. Since its origin in 1927, the United States owns a 24-9-2 record. Europe has won seven of the past 10 competitions.