ENGLISH GOLFER LEE WESTWOOD WALKS PAST THE SCOREBOARD DURING THE 2012 RYDER CUP IN MEDINAH, ILLINOIS. PHOTO BY OMAR RAWLINGS IS LICENSED UNDER CC BY-ND 2.0 / ADJUSTED FOR CONTRAST AND BRIGHTNESS
It was 1969 on the 18th hole of the Royal Birkdale Golf Club in England. Jack Nicklaus, a now retired American golfer and winner of 18 major championships, was teeing off against Tony Jacklin, the greatest British golfers of his generation. The entire tournament had built to one moment: America was up by a single stroke. With 8,000 onlookers, Nicklaus putted wide, giving Jacklin a chance to tie up the match. However, before Jacklin could putt, Nicklaus snatched up the Brit’s ball, conceding the tie.
This scene from the 18th Ryder Cup was once called one of the most sporting gestures of all time by the Guardian. The tournament is held every other year and pits the best golfers of the U.S. against their European counterparts.
From September 27 to October 2, 2016, the Ryder Cup will bring 89 years of history and drama to Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, which itself has a storied history. Since 1966, Hazeltine has hosted the U.S. Women’s Open, the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship twice each. It has also hosted the U.S. Senior Open and many amateur tournaments.
It’s not often that the Ryder Cup will come around this part of town, so it’s the perfect time to take an early fall vacation, to support the U.S. team, and perhaps watch the U.S. reclaim the trophy. Registration for the ticket lottery has closed, so purchasing one of the following packages is the only way to see the tournament if you don’t already have a ticket:
Blue Tee Package: If you’ll be at the tournament and out-and-about for most of the weekend, this basic package will be your ideal selection. $2,895 per person for double occupancy. Choose between the Best Western Plus in Bloomington, the Resident Inn At The Depot in downtown Minneapolis, or the Commons Hotel on the University of Minnesota campus.
Gold Tee Package: Choose to stay in style and add a touch of comfort to your visit. $3,195 per person for double occupancy. Choose between the Raddison Hotel in Bloomington and Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel in Downtown Minneapolis.
Resort Package: From entertainment, to food, to gambling, you’ll find it all in this one spot. $3,495 per person for double occupancy. Stay at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel.
Championship Tee Package: Make the most of your stay with the most opulent accommodations. $3,595 per person for double occupancy. Stay at the recently re-designed Hyatt Regency in Downtown Minneapolis.
VIP Upgrade: Call for a quote. Premier Golf is offering a VIP upgrade for any package: a pass to their private hospitality chalet, which sits right on the 16th hole. It features a full and open bar, executive restrooms, breakfast and lunch buffets, and on-hand staff. Reservations can be made for the whole tournament, or for single days. The air-conditioned chalet only has room for 100 people and space is available on a first-come-first-served basis.
All the packages include four nights of accommodations for the length of the tournament, breakfast each day, tickets to the Ryder Cup, transportation from your hotel to Hazeltine, a coffee-table book that details the history of the Ryder Cup, and a welcome party.
This year the Ryder Cup will host three separate welcome events in Downtown, in Bloomington, and at the Mystic Lake Casino. Each is a two hour meet-and-greet where fanatics from all over the world can mingle, exchange war stories, and maybe even spy a celebrity or two in town for the tournament.
The 41st Ryder Cup will be held September 27-October 2, 2016 at Hazeltine National Golf Club, 1900 Hazeltine Blvd., Chaska, rydercup.com
