Adare Manor will be "truly magical" for centenary Ryder Cup in 2027
Adare Manor will now host the Ryder Cup in 2027 following the postponement at Whistling Straits until 2021
European Ryder Cup Director Guy Kinnings believes there is a silver lining to the Ryder Cup’s postponement until 2021.
Not only does it give Marco Simone Golf Club in Rome and extra year to prepare for what will now be the 2023 Ryder Cup, but the move from 2026 to 2027 for Adare Manor will also give Ireland a centenary staging he believes will be “an amazing Ryder Cup in Ireland.”
“It’s great news for our future venues,” Mr Kinnings said. “Although Marco Simone remained firmly on schedule, today’s news that the 44th staging in Rome will take place in 2023 instead of 2022, will give Italy, which has an amazing history in staging very special sporting events, extra time to prepare for hosting golf’s greatest team event in what will be an extraordinary occasion in Rome in just over three years’ time.
European Ryder Cup Director, Guy Kinnings
“As for Adare Manor, 2027 will be a truly magical occasion. The island of Ireland already has a very rich history with the Ryder Cup having produced three of the last four European captains, including our current one in Mr Pádraig Harrington.
“It has also seen many of its players produce winning points for Europe over the years - Christy O’Connor Jnr, Eamonn Darcy, Philip Walton, Paul McGinley and Graeme McDowell. And that rich history will now see it stage the centenary Ryder Cup in 2027, the first match having been played a Worcester Country Club in Massachusetts in 1927.
On how the move from 2026 to 2027 might affect the European Tour’s dealings with Adare and the Irish Government, which has promised to invest €50 million in preparing for and promoting 2026 Ryder Cup, he said co-operation has been total.
“Our dealings with the Irish Government and Adare Manor, and with JP and his team, have been very thorough,” he said. “We have had lengthy discussions and it will probably come as no surprise to you to know they have been hugely supportive throughout.
“They fully understood the situation and are incredibly excited about the prospects for what we think will be an amazing Ryder Cup in Ireland. I think the opportunity of it becoming the centenary, which none of us had envisaged, will allow us to build on that heritage that there is.
“The island of Ireland has embraced [golf] as we saw at the Open Championship last year and will be building towards it now for 2027. Of course, there are details to be worked through but I was in conversations only this morning with all of the parties involved and we will work them out and start building towards that.”
Mount Juliet booked out from September 12-29
In a statement, Adare Manor said it was “understanding and fully supportive of the decision to postpone this year’s event at Whistling Straits, given the circumstances of the coronavirus pandemic.”
The statement went on: “The health and safety of both fans and players is of paramount importance and we are wholeheartedly behind the decision made by the PGA of America and Ryder Cup Europe.
“For all upcoming venues hosting this historic event, there is a huge responsibility to ensure public safety and, given the uncertain times, the right decision has been made. We believe it is the incredible atmosphere created by the spectators that helps make the Ryder Cup so special, and we agree that the Ryder Cup this year without them just wouldn’t have been the same.
“As our own exciting plans for The Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in 2027 continue, where we’ll be honoured to now be staging the centenary year, we would like to wish Whistling Straits the very best in their preparations over the next 12 months.”
The €50 million government investment includes roads near Adare and support for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open as well as a Challenge Tour and Staysure Tour event.
The Irish Open was scheduled to be held at Mount Juliet at the end of May but while it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ryder Cup postponement frees up the last weekend in September for a potential new date.
Mr Kinnings was mum on plans to take the Rolex Series event to Mount Juliet from 24-27 but the fact that the hotel is booked out entirely from September 12-29 would suggest that contingency plans have been made.
The fact that there is a 14-day self-isolation period required for all visitors to Ireland would make it impossible for players such as host Graeme McDowell, Open champion Shane Lowry or world No 1 Rory McIlroy to travel.
If the event moves into the vacant week left by the Ryder Cup, it will start just four days after the US Open at Winged Foot.
Bar a government exemption for players, it is unclear how the event would go ahead.
