Humble Beginnings: The Ryder Cup and the Curse of Gleneagles

Unlike the Brits who were comfortably lodged in a local hotel, food was also an issue. Spending most evenings trawling around Auchterarder High Street searching for something more appetizing than boiled beef or haggis, at least they were able to enjoy a dram or two of whisky - something denied to them in the Prohibition-hit United States.

The match when it finally took place proved a big disappointment as Britain thrashed America 10½ to 4½. Losing three of the opening four-ball matches and six of the individual ties, it was not even close. The 1,000 Guineas Tournament also offered little consolation as Englishman Abe Mitchell beat Australian pro Joe Kirkwood to take the honours and the £160 cash prize. Maybe the Gleneagles Curse had got its way after all?

Heading home it was certain that neither team saw themselves as pioneers. Sam Ryder’s cup was six years distant and nobody in America - especially Walter Hagen - was keen to risk another thrashing at British hands. After the international match, commemorative gold medals were presented to all the players courtesy of the Glasgow Herald but no one suggested that it become a regular event. Or if they did, no one listened. Put simply, the experiment had failed. Considered little more than a crude exhibition match, crowds were sparse and the atmosphere muted. The teams hardly socialised and even the course at Gleneagles had come in for harsh criticism.

There was talk of gamesmanship and double dealing but like the actual match, it was quickly forgotten; even more so when the Ryder Cup finally took hold on the public imagination. As for the so-called ‘Gleneagles Curse’ we can only hope it doesn’t return to haunt either team at the 2014 Ryder Cup but that’s the thing about curses: you simply never know.