Silver putter, newest symbol of Ryder Cup history, on display at Medinah

Adorned with 24 silver golf balls representing the total number of players in the Ryder Cup, a new silver putter links the past and future of golf's premier spectacle.

MEDINAH, Ill. -- A silver putter, the newest piece of memorabilia attached to the rich history of The Ryder Cup, has a prominent location in the clubhouse at Medinah (Ill.) Country Club. Adorned with 24 silver golf balls representing the total number of players in the Ryder Cup, the putter links the past and future of golf's premier spectacle. Similar to the passing of the Olympic torch to the next host site, the silver putter was first presented in 2010 by Ryder Cup Europe to The PGA of America during The Ryder Cup closing ceremony at The Celtic Manor Resort, City of Newport, Wales.

Visitors to Medinah Country Club will find the silver putter featuring past Ryder Cup sites and golf balls symbolically representing the 12-member teams and Captains and assistants. As each competition is completed, the next host site is engraved on a plaque within the piece. The 39th Ryder Cup will be contested Sept. 25-30, 2012, at Medinah Country Club.

"The Ryder Cup is one of the most compelling competitions in all of sports, connecting generations and the finest competitors in the game," said PGA of America President Allen Wronowski. "The silver putter is a symbol that golf fans may embrace, while it serves as a permanent marker of a competition that fosters both sportsmanship and goodwill between golfers on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean."

Richard Hills, Ryder Cup Europe Director, added, "The Ryder Cup has grown from humble beginnings in 1927 to a three-day contest which grips golfing attention like no other. The introduction of the silver putter provides a permanent reminder of how The Ryder Cup has contributed richly to the history of the game while achieving the all-important objective of fostering international goodwill through sport."

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 38 competitions over 84 years. The competition was born in 1927, when enterprising English seed merchant Samuel Ryder commissioned the casting of a gold trophy 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.

About Ryder Cup Europe

Ryder Cup Europe owns the rights to The Ryder Cup when the match is held in Europe. Ryder Cup Europe is made up of representatives of The European Tour (60%), of The PGA of Great Britain and Ireland (20%) and The Ryder Cup European Development Trust (RCEDT) (20%). The European Tour is the Managing Partner and has prime responsibility for all matters concerning The European Team.