Ryder Cup's St. Albans Origins

The Ryder Cup, a competition between teams of American and European professional golfers, is underway - when the rain isn't preventing play - in Newport, Wales. Few people realise that St. Albans is the home of this event, first played in 1927.

The Ryder Cup is named after Samuel Ryder, owner of a local seed business that made it's home on Holywell Hill, in the building now converted into use as a Comfort Hotel. 

The Cup was started by Ryder when he was Captain of the Verulam Golf Club, off London Road. The trophy, still used today, cost him £250 - a massive sum in those days - and bears

the likeness British golfer Abe

Mitchell.

In addition to being a golfing enthusiast and successful trader, Ryder was also elected to the town council and was, in 1905, St. Albans' Mayor. He is buried at Hatfield Road Cemetary.