The proud host of the 37th Ryder Cup, Louisville, Kentucky

The proud host of the 37th Ryder Cup, Louisville, Kentucky, one of the last great sporting events founded on prestige rather than prize money, spans 34 competitions over 77 years. The origin of the idea to stage international matches between the best American professionals and those of Great Britain is a subject of debate among golf historians. Opening Ceremonies kick off to day.

Valhalla Golf Club will challenge each of the players in this tournament with its front nine that is links-style, while its back nine is more traditional. The signature hole is #13, a 350-yard, par 4, requiring a tee shot to a small landing area, then an approach shot over water to an island green.

Golf Digest consistently rates Valhalla as the “Best in State” and one of “America’s 100 Greatest Courses”. In addition, Golf Week ranks it as one of “America’s 100 Best Modern Courses”. Valhalla Golf Club has been the host site for the 1996 and 2000 PGA Championships, the 2002 PGA Club Professional Championship and the 2004 Senior PGA Championship. In September of 2008, golf’s most illustrious event, the 37th Ryder Cup, will be contested here. With this, the facility becomes only the third such in the nation to host a PGA Championship, a Senior PGA Championship and a Ryder Cup.

Gate Hours
Tuesday 7:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday 7:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Thursday 7:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Friday 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Sunday 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008
7:30 a.m. Gates Open
8:00 a.m. 1st Tee, European Team, Practice
10th Tee, U.S. Team, Practice
6:00 p.m. Ryder Cup Practice ends
7:00 p.m. Gates close

Wednesday, September 17, 2008
7:30 a.m. Gates Open
8:00 a.m. 1st Tee, U.S. Team, Practice
10th Tee, European Team, Practice
3:00 p.m. Junior Ryder Cup Exhibition Match, 1st Tee
6:00 p.m. Ryder Cup Practice ends
7:00 p.m. Gates close

Thursday, September 18, 2008
7:30 a.m. Gates Open
8:00 a.m. 1st Tee, European Team, Practice
10th Tee, U.S. Team, Practice
3:00 p.m. Ryder Cup Practice ends
3:00 p.m. Pre-Ceremony Gathering Hour, Practice Range
4:00 p.m. Opening Ceremony begins, Practice Range
5:15 p.m. Opening Ceremony concludes
7:00 p.m. Gates close

Friday, September 19, 2008
7:30 a.m. Gates Open
8:05 a.m. Ryder Cup Play begins
Foursomes play begins (8:05 a.m., 8:20 a.m., 8:35 a.m., 8:50 a.m.)
12:45 p.m. Fourball play begins (12:45 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 1:15 p.m., 1:30 p.m.)
Approx. 6:30 p.m. Ryder Cup Play ends
7:30 p.m. Gates close

Saturday, September 20, 2008
7:30 a.m. Gates Open
8:05 a.m. Ryder Cup Play begins
Foursomes play begins (8:05 a.m., 8:20 a.m., 8:35 a.m., 8:50 a.m.)
12:45 p.m. Fourball play begins (12:45 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 1:15 p.m., 1:30 p.m.)
Approx. 6:30 p.m. Ryder Cup Play ends
7:30 p.m. Gates close

Sunday, September 21, 2008
7:30 a.m. Gates Open
12:03 p.m. Singles play begins, last tee time 2:04 p.m.
Approx. 5:55 p.m. Ryder Cup Play ends
Approx. 6:45 p.m. Closing Ceremonies begin
Approx. 7:15 p.m. Closing Ceremonies end
7:30 p.m. Gates close