CHASKA, Minn. (September 21, 2016) – The PGA of America is excited to host the Celebrity Match for the 2016 Ryder Cup. The 9-hole scramble will feature celebrities from the United States and Europe and kick-off the week’s festivities prior to the start of Ryder Cup matches. This year’s celebrity teams bring a fun mix of talent and big personalities.
The Celebrity Match will take place at Hazeltine National Golf Club from 2:00-5:45 p.m. CT.
The General Public Parking Lot for the 2016 Ryder Cup will be located at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn. The address is 1100 Canterbury Road, Shakopee, Minn., 55379. From the lot, spectators will take a 30-minute shuttle to Hazeltine. Parking at Canterbury Park, and the shuttle to the Ryder Cup will be free of charge.
Gate times for spectators attending the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club on Tuesday, September 27 are 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. CT.
Celebrities from the United States include: *Line-up is subject to change
Todd English is a celebrity chef, restaurateur, author, and television personality. One of the most decorated, respected, and charismatic chefs in the world, Todd has been recognized by several of the food industry’s most prestigious publications, established one of the best-known restaurant brands in the nation, published four critically acclaimed cookbooks, and was named one of People Magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People.”
Rob Riggle is an actor, comedian, writer, director, and producer. Riggle began his comedy career in 1997 in New York City while still on active duty in the Marine Corps. Like many other comedy greats Rob got his start at Upright Citizens Brigade where he started as a student and eventually taught classes. Rob’s efforts at UCB eventually earned him a spot on the comedy mecca, Saturday Night Live, fulfilling one of his lifelong dreams.
Jeremy Roenick is a former professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League. He was drafted eighth overall in the NHL Entry Draft in 1988 by the Chicago Blackhawks. He represented TEAM USA in numerous international tournaments, including two Olympics in 1998 and 2002. Currently Jeremy is an analyst for NBC Sports, and an avid scratch golfer.
Kurt Russell is an Emmy and Golden Globes-nominated actor. He began acting on television for the western series, The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters (1963–64). In the late 1960s, he signed a ten-year contract with The Walt Disney Company where, according to Robert Osborne, he became the studio's top star of the 1970s. Kurt’s portrayal of U.S. Olympic hockey coach, and Minnesota native Herb Brooks in the 2004 film Miracle, won the praise of critics.
Kelly Slater is an American professional surfer. He has been crowned World Surf League Champion a record 11 times, including 5 consecutive titles in 1994–98. He is the youngest (at age 20) and the oldest (at age 39) to win the title. Upon winning his 5th world title in 1997, Kelly passed Australian surfer Mark Richards to become the most successful champion in the history of the sport.
Huey Lewis was born a long time ago in New York City. He was raised in San Francisco, educated on both coasts, and settled in California after traveling through western Europe. He formed Huey Lewis and The News in 1977, releasing their first record in 1980. One of America's great rock n' roll bands, they continue to perform for audiences worldwide. Huey is in show business, and therefore will do almost anything for attention. To that end, he has played Billy Flynn in the musical Chicago on Broadway, filmed the movie Duets with Gwyneth Paltrow, and guest starred on the sit-com 'Hot in Cleveland' several times. He has won many awards and accolades, and he'd love to tell you about them sometime. He loves to fly fish and play golf.
Michael Phelps is a former competitive swimmer and the most decorated Olympian of all time with a total of 28 medals. He holds the all-time record for Olympic gold medals – 23 medals. Michael announced his retirement following the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. He is engaged to model and former Miss California USA (2010), Nicole Johnson with whom he has a son named Boomer.
Bill Murray is an American actor, comedian, and writer. He first gained exposure on Saturday Night Live, a role which earned him his first Emmy Award and later went on to star in comedy films, such as Caddyshack. An avid and passionate golfer, Bill recently launched a golf clothing line, and appeared in the golf documentary “Be the Ball: A Golf Documentary” with Rory McIlroy.
Celebrities from Europe include: *Lineup is subject to change
Andriy Shevchenko is a former professional soccer player and current Ukrainian national team coach. Andriy is ranked as the fifth top goalscorer in all European competitions with 67 goals. With a tally of 175 goals scored for Milan, Andriy is the second most prolific player in the history of the club. He is married to American model Kristen Pazik who was born in Minneapolis. Andriy is an avid golfer and participated in his first professional golf tournament, the Kharkov Superior Cup in September 2013.
José Andrés is an internationally-recognized Spanish American culinary innovator, author, educator, television personality, humanitarian and chef/owner of ThinkFoodGroup. José was named one of Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” and awarded “Outstanding Chef” by the James Beard Foundation. A pioneer of Spanish tapas in the United States, he is also known for his groundbreaking avant-garde cuisine.
Niall Horan is an Irish singer-songwriter and guitarist, known as a member of the boy band One Direction. Niall has involved himself in the sports world a number of times on social media, and on April 8, 2015 he caddied for professional golfer Rory McIlroy for the Par 3 contest prior to the 2015 Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia. In 2016, Niall and golf player Justin Rose created the "Horan and Rose Gala", a charity event in aid of Cancer Research UK Kids and Teens.
Martina Navratilova is a Hall of Fame tennis star, and arguably the best tennis player ever to step on the court. Martina has won 59 Grand Slam crowns, a record nine Wimbledon singles champions, and overcame the odds to become both one of the most successful tennis players ever and an equally successful leader. She provides her articulate, intelligent and outspoken commentary to the Tennis Channel's audience during its coverage of the Grand Slams. Martina has been elected to serve as the ambassador for the WTA over the next five years and is a regular commentator for the BBC at Wimbledon.
Nigel Lythgoe is an English television and film director and producer, television dance competition judge, former dancer in the Young Generation and choreographer. He is noted for being the producer of the shows Pop Idol and American Idol and creator and executive producer of, and a regular judge on So You Think You Can Dance. Beginning in 1969, Nigel performed with the BBC's The Young Generation dance troupe. He became their choreographer in 1971 and has since choreographed over 500 television shows.
John Regis is a retired English sprinter. During his career, he won gold medals in the 200 meters at the 1989 World Indoor Championships and the 1990 European Championships, and a silver medal in the distance at the 1993 World Championships. He was a member of the British teams which won the gold medal in the 4×400-meter relay at the 1991 World Championships, and the silver medal in the 4×100-meter relay at the 1988 Olympic Games. John is still the British 200-meter record-holder, which he set in 1994.
Alessandro Del Piero is an Italian former professional soccer player. Alessandro is widely regarded by players, pundits, and managers as one of the greatest players of his generation, and as one of the best Italian players of all time, winning the Serie A Italian Footballer of the Year award in 1998 and 2008. A prolific goal-scorer, he is currently the second highest all-time Italian top-scorer in all competitions, with 346 goals, behind only Silvio Piola, with 390 goals.
Paul O’Connell is a retired Irish rugby player. He is Ireland's third most-capped player (108) and the joint-twelfth most-capped international player in rugby union history. Paul has captained Munster, Ireland and the British and Irish Lions. He currently serves in an advisory role with the Greencore Munster Rugby Academy.
