You're probably wondering why I am deciding to write about The Ryder Cup, especially when it isn't until next year. Well, I'll tell you.
The Ryder Cup (besides the Masters...) is the only tournament that I have not attended yet that I would be completely thrilled to see in person. If you don't know what The Ryder Cup is, I suppose I'll explain it for you very briefly.
Basically, it is a golf tournament between the United States & Europe. The tournament is played every two years and is a very high profile event. I feel like the tournament probably brings in more money than any other tournament played-- but, I could be wrong about that. The tournament is not competed for money but simply for the joy of winning. The venues alternate between the United States & Europe, and this year it is being played in the States at Medinah Country Club. The tournament is played as match play--which is a little long to explain and is probably easier to understand if you were to just 'Google' what it is. I may just decide to write a separate post one day about what match play is. It's pretty interesting.
Recently I have been trying to figure out how to get tickets for this event, and have just discovered that it is actually pretty difficult. They do a random ticket draw, regardless if you're from the States or Europe, where you must go through an application process. This process was just recently opened on Monday and will go till Friday, September 30th, 2011. If you are randomly selected to attend the event you are notified in October, and your tickets are mailed to you in June 2012.
>> From what I have seen, this is the only way where you can purchase tickets on your own to go to the RC. Once you actually get into the application, you must decide if you want weekly tickets or a daily grounds ticket. If you want to be entered for weekly tickets, you must choose between The International Pavillion Ticket, which is $680, or The Season Grounds Ticket, which is $460. Daily Grounds Tickets are $35 for Thursday, and $115 for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. You must also decide how many tickets you want, but only 4 weekly tickets, or 8 daily tickets are allowed. You also cannot purchase a combination of weekly and daily tickets.
So, that's that. I entered my application this afternoon, which you are only allowed to do once. Other applications with your same address will be tossed away and forfeited from the random drawing. I went for the Season Grounds Ticket and asked for two of them. I figure, yes, its expensive, but if I was chosen I could save up the money, and it would be an opportunity of a lifetime.
Wish me luck!
