Ryder Cup:Ryder Cup Europe today confirmed six countries - France, Germany, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden - have all thrown their name in the hat to host the 2018 Ryder Cup.
While this might all seem a little premature with no less than four Ryder Cups still to take place before the 2018 matches, organisers are nothing if not forward planners. That said, the deadline for submissions is set for April 30th, 2010 ahead of next September’s Ryder Cup that will take place at Celtic Manor in Wales.
“We are delighted with the response and congratulate the six countries involved,” said Richard Hills, European Ryder Cup Director. “We have set the date by which bids must be received in order to provide each country with the optimum opportunity in the current economic climate to present their strongest possible bid.
“In setting the sporting and commercial criteria that will be used to assess bids, we have been quite clear that each country’s bid must be channeled through its National Golf Federation and that no bids from individual venues will be considered.
“We look forward to working with all six countries over the coming months as they develop their bids and we will shortly be launching an Official Candidate Logo to enable bids to be effectively promoted within each nation. Assuming that all necessary criteria are met, the 2018 Ryder Cup will be played in mainland Europe,” added Hills.
It is intended that the 2018 host nation will be announced in 2011.
Future Ryder Cup venues:
2010- The Celtic Manor Resort, Wales (Oct 1-3)
2012- Medinah Country Club, Illinois, USA
2014- The Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland
2016- Hazeltine National GC, Minnesota, USA
2018– TBA
2020- Whistling Straits, Wisconsin, USA
