Tickets on sale now for year-out celebration event with captains

A limited number of tickets are available to the public for the "Countdown To The Ryder Cup: An Evening With The Captains" event that will celebrate one year to go before the 2012 matches. Set for Sept. 26, the event will feature Ryder Cup captains Davis Love III and Jose Maria Olazabal.

MEDINAH, Ill. -- The PGA of America is pleased to announce that limited tickets for a special "Countdown To The Ryder Cup: An Evening With The Captains" event will be available to the general public beginning at Noon CDT on August 22.

This one-night-only event will take place Sept. 26, 2011, at The Chicago Theatre in downtown Chicago and celebrates the year-out mark of the 2012 Ryder Cup. Hosted by NBC's Emmy Award-winning broadcaster Jimmy Roberts, "Countdown To The Ryder Cup: An Evening With The Captains" will feature a conversation with 2012 team captains Davis Love III and Jose Maria Olazabal, and give attendees a behind-the-scenes look at next year's Ryder Cup. Special guest appearances also guarantee to make this an evening to remember.

"The Ryder Cup is one of the most thrilling and beloved sporting events in the world, and we are very excited to have Davis Love III and Jose Maria Olazabal join us for an unforgettable evening at The Chicago Theatre," said Ryder Cup tournament director Michael Belot. "I encourage everyone to purchase their tickets now because availability is limited and this is an event no golf fan will want to miss."

Tickets are $55 and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are available at The Chicago Theatre Box Office, via Ticketmaster online or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Doors to The Chicago Theatre will open at 7 p.m. local time on Sept. 26, with the event scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. A cash bar will be available. The Chicago Theatre is located at 175 North State Street in Chicago.

The Ryder Cup will be played Sept. 25-30, 2012, at storied Medinah (Ill.) Country Club near Chicago.

About the 2012 Ryder Cup

The Ryder Cup, among the last great professional sporting events where winning, and not prize money, is its own reward, spans 37 competitions over 82 years. The competition was born in 1927, when enterprising English seed merchant Samuel Ryder commissioned the casting of a gold chalice that bears his name. The U.S. Team defeated Great Britain, 9½ to 2½, in the inaugural matches in Worcester, Mass.

Since then, the Ryder Cup has expanded to involve the finest players of Europe. Except for a span (1939-45) during World War II and following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks upon America, the Ryder Cup has been held biennially with the U.S. and Europe alternating as host.

About the PGA of America

Celebrating its 95th year, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission of its founders: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.

By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, The PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in a multi-billion dollar golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.

Follow Team USA and the 2012 Ryder Cup on: Facebook | Twitter