September date for Ryder seven

The Ryder Cup Board yesterday announced that the host venue for the 2009 showpiece between Europe and the United States will be named in September of this year.

A decision will be taken prior to the 34th Ryder Cup, being played at The Belfry from September 28th-30th. When this decision is announced, it will encompass both the host country and venue.

The Ryder Cup Board has considered all the bids to stage the Cup and, representatives having visited the three potential host nations - Scotland, England and Wales - last week, wishes further time to deliberate over those bids in more detail.

This will involve a delegation from the Ryder Cup Board visiting prospective host venues under tournament conditions during events on the 2001 European Tour International Schedule.

Those tournaments and courses are: the Compaq European Grand Prix at Slaley Hall in Northumberland in June; the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond in July; the Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open at Celtic Manor Resort and the Scottish PGA Championship at Gleneagles, both in August.

The three remaining candidates in Scotland - Turnberry, Carnoustie and St Andrews - have all staged Open Championships within the past seven years and the Board believe it is unnecessary to visit those sites as they already have a proven tournament infrastructure.

Sandy Jones, chief executive of the Professional Golfers Association, said: "The Board is deeply impressed by the high quality of all the bids, and the bidders' commitment to long-term programmes for the development of golf.

"However the Ryder Cup Board wishes further time to consider the bids in more detail. The Board believes it is in the best interests of all the candidates to discuss and refine the details of all the bids.

"Once this process has been completed, the Ryder Cup Board will make an announcement as to the host country and venue at the same time. This is expected to be in September this year, perhaps during the week of this year's Ryder Cup at The Belfry."