Scotland grabs 2014 Ryder Cup baton

Oct 1 2012

Scotland has been handed the ceremonial baton of host nation of the next Ryder Cup as the current tournament ended with Europe taking the title.

The honour was passed over at the closing ceremony of the event at Medinah, Illinois, US.

First Minister Alex Salmond accepted the ceremonial Silver Putter on behalf of Gleneagles, Perthshire which will host the tournament in 2014. The ceremony had a Scottish flavour to mark the return of the event to Scotland for the first time in around 40 years.

Classical violinist Nicola Benedetti and Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis, lead vocalist in the animated film Brave, did a live show of Scottish music, performing a new collaboration of traditional Gaelic material before a speech by Mr Salmond who welcomed the world to Scotland in 2014.

The 2014 Ryder Cup will reportedly bring an estimated £100 million into the Scottish economy in the week of the event alone.

Dr Mike Cantlay, chairman of VisitScotland, said: "The closing ceremony at Medinah marked the start of Scotland's reign as the host nation of The Ryder Cup and we are determined to take full advantage of that fact.

"The £100 million boost the 2014 Ryder Cup will bring to the Scottish economy is obviously fantastic in its own right but we are working hard to make sure that Scottish golf and Scottish tourism will benefit from this magnificent tournament for years to come.

"There is no doubt 2014 will be a year unlike anything we've ever seen in Scotland, with the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup. In sport, Scotland plays on the world stage. Our journey to inspire the world to come and see the home of golf starts today."

During the ceremony a video titled Scotland's Getting Ready was shown, which featured people playing golf at various Scottish landmarks, such as teeing off from Glencoe and chipping into whisky barrels. The ceremony was watched in an estimated 500 million homes in 183 countries worldwide.

Europe retained the Ryder Cup, completing an improbable comeback from a four-point deficit. Martin Kaymer delivered the crucial 14th point with a 1-up victory over Steve Stricker. When Kaymer rolled in the six-foot putt to clinch the match, he threw up his arms in triumph and shook his fists. His teammates, surrounding the green, roared and grabbed anyone within reach for a hug. European captain Jose Maria Olazabal, watching from the middle of the fairway, closed his eyes and turned his face skyward.