France awarded Ryder Cup 2018
Continental Europe will host biennial US-Euro showdown for first time in 21 years at Versailles.
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| Europe won the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in Newport, Wales [GALLO/GETTY] |
France will host golf’s Ryder Cup for the first time in 2018 after beating bids from the Netherlands, Germany, Portugal and Spain.
It will be only the second time that the tournament between the US and Europe has been held on the continent, with the home leg usually hosted in the British Isles.
Le Golf National on the outskirts of Versailles becomes the second continental venue after Valderrama, Spain, in 1997.
The bid process was the first one conducted by Ryder Cup Europe.
The bid of the proposed Tres Cantos course near Madrid had gained momentum following the death of Seve Ballesteros and an announcement will be made shortly regarding a possible change of the Tour’s logo to include an image of the Spanish five-times major champion.
The French and Dutch bids were the only two to have completed courses and the French one had huge support from the country’s golfing public.
Over 400,000 members of the French golf federation agreed to pay an annual $4.25 levy for 10 years towards a French Ryder Cup bid.
Around 20 miles outside Paris, the spectacular course is one of the best in the world for spectators and can accommodate 70,000 of them.
“Each of the countries matched or exceeded our key requirements but the winning bid stands out for a number of reasons,” Ryder Cup director Richard Hills said.
“It has truly outstanding spectator viewing and the promise of an exciting climax to the matches.
“Key also was the plan to build 100 urban golf courses and that strong legacy will act as a catalyst to attract new players.
“There is no doubt that the 2018 Ryder Cup will be a dramatic and memorable one.”
The 2012 Ryder Cup will be at the Medinah Country Club in Illinois, Gleneagles in Scotland will host 2014 and the 2016 event will be at Hazeltine National in Minnesota.
Hills added: “France, as the successful nation, will now be entering into a multi-faceted relationship with Ryder Cup Europe, lasting a minimum of 12 years and benefiting many aspects of golf at all levels.”
France has hosted 118 European Tour, 60 European Challenge Tour and 12 European Senior Tour events.