Whistling Straits has provided a spectacular backdrop to this year’s delayed Ryder Cup and after the conclusion of the Sunday Singles, the focus will shift to the next European venue, Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome, which will host the 2023 contest in Italy.
On Sunday morning representatives from the PGA of America and Ryder Cup Europe recognised both venues in a traditional handover ceremony, which took place adjacent to Lake Michigan, on the 17th hole which has provide so much drama this week.
Keith Pelley, the European Tour’s Chief Executive, and Jim Richerson, President of the PGA of America, presented a specially commissioned painting to Herbert V. Kohler and David Kohler from Whistling Straits, thanking the Kohler family and all the staff at the venue for their generous hospitality during the 43rd Ryder Cup.
Guy Kinnings, the European Tour’s Deputy Chief Executive, Ryder Cup Director and Chief Commercial Officer, then joined Richerson is presenting the Silver Putter, adorned with 24 silver golf balls representing the two dozen players from each team, to Emilio Carbonera, CEO of Marco Simone, and Gian Paolo Montali, General Director of the 2023 Ryder Cup.
The silver putter symbolises the passing of the baton from venue to venue, with Marco Simone set to become the 39th different venue to host a Ryder Cup and only the third in continental Europe after Valderrama, Spain, in 1997 and Le Golf National, France, in 2018.
Guy Kinnings said: “The Ryder Cup continues to get bigger and better with every edition and this year has been exceptional. Our partners, the PGA of America have done a terrific job and the Kohler family have been wonderful hosts.
“We now look forward, in 733 days, to going to Rome for the first time. Italy has never had the Ryder Cup before and it is an incredible opportunity. Marco Simone has just hosted the Italian Open and passed the test of the pros on Tour, which is an important start, and it is 30 minutes from the centre of Rome, with views of the city from the course.
“To have that is an extraordinary combination so it will be a unique experience. It will attract people in a golfing and social sense and it will be in people’s diaries.”
Gian Paolo Montali said: “We are very excited about the next two years. We are ready and we will work over the next two years to ensure that 2023 is one of the most iconic editions of the Ryder Cup. When we tried to five years ago to bring the Ryder Cup to Italy it was a big challenge, but 2023 will be the realisation of our dream. See you in Rome.”
Emilio Carbonera said: “The Silver Putter is an important symbol and it is, of course, a big honour for us to host the next Ryder Cup. It is a big responsibility, and we are looking forward to welcoming everybody to Rome and Marco Simone.
“The Marco Simone course has been completely redesigned to ensure that everybody has a great experience, and the architects have done it so fans can follow the action closely. That’s what makes the Ryder Cup unique – it’s like being in a soccer stadium.”
