From New York to Limerick: The Silver Putter Handover
Following a dramatic European victory on Sunday at the 45th Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York, the focus now shifts to the next European venue, Adare Manor, which will host the 2027 contest in in Limerick, Ireland.
On Sunday morning representatives from the PGA of America, Ryder Cup Europe, Bethpage State Park, Empire State Development, Limerick City and County Council and Adare Manor recognised both venues in a traditional handover ceremony, which took place adjacent to the 15th tee at Bethpage Black.
Don Rea Jr, President of the PGA of America, Derek Sprague, CEO of the PGA of America, Eric Nicoli, Chairman of the European Tour Group and Alan White, Chairman of the PGA of Great Britain and Ireland, presented a specially commissioned painting to Randy Simons, Commissioner Pro Team of New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and Hope Knight, President, CEO and Commissioner of Empire State Development.
Guy Kinnings, the European Tour Group’s CEO, then joined Don Rea Jr and Derek Sprague in presenting the Silver Putter, adorned with 24 silver golf balls representing the two dozen players from each team, to the Minister for Arts, Culture, Communications, Media and Sport for the Government of Ireland, Patrick O’Donovan, and the Owner of Adare Manor, JP McManus and his daughter Sue Ann McManus.
The silver putter symbolises the passing of the baton from venue to venue, with Adare Manor set to become the 41st different venue to host a Ryder Cup and only the second in the Island of Ireland after The K Club in 2006. The 2027 Ryder Cup will also have the added distinction of being the historic event’s centenary edition.
“We’re welcoming the Ryder Cup, in its centenary year, to Adare Manor and Ireland with great enthusiasm” said JP McManus, the owner of Adare Manor. “It’s the people of Adare Manor, the people of Limerick, and the people of Ireland that will make it special. They have really taken ownership of it, and we are going to do the best we can to make it a wonderful experience for all our visitors in 2027.”
“The Ryder Cup has become one of the most extraordinary events in sport and has been staged in some incredible cities. Ireland will be the perfect venue for the Ryder Cup in its important centenary year, where we celebrate its rich history” added Guy Kinnings. “We get to come to a country that loves the sport, hosted a fantastic Ryder Cup in 2006, and the venue is of impeccable quality with an owner who is so passionate about staging a memorable event.”
“On behalf of Limerick, we could not be prouder to host the Ryder Cup. It puts us on the European map as a cool and trendy city” said John Moran, Mayor of Limerick. “I want to thank the government and our local Minister, Patrick O’Donovan, for supporting this and fair play to JP McManus who had the vision to say that Limerick can step up and stage something like the Ryder Cup, and we know that we can deliver a memorable event.”
“It’s been great to be here at Bethpage in New York to see the scale of the event and what is ahead for us” said Minister Patrick O’Donovan. “We know there will be a long-term sporting and community legacy for Ireland and the people of Limerick from staging the Ryder Cup. You have seen a lot of passionate Irish fans going around the course this week and that is just a microcosm of what you can expect to see in two years’ time. It will be the hottest show in town, so you need to make sure you are organised to book your place as this is one not to be missed.”
