Driving The Ryder Cup Since 1997
In 1997, the Ryder Cup was on the brink of a new era.
Since 1923 it had only ever taken place in Great Britain & Ireland and the United States. The expansion of the team to include players from continental Europe in 1979 meant the Ryder Cup was headed for Valderrama in Spain, under the captaincy of the late, great Seve Ballesteros.
It was also the point that Club Car, having risen to international prominence in the 1980s with its revolutionary DS golf car, agreed to become an official supplier to the event, marking the start of what is now a 26-year journey with the Ryder Cup.
The DS propelled Club Car to international prominence in the 1980s.
The DS propelled Club Car to international prominence in the 1980s.
In February 2023, Club Car became an Official Worldwide Supplier for the Ryder Cup, and at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, Rome in September, around 550 Club Car vehicles will help the preparation and execution of what has grown to become one of the biggest sporting events on the planet.
In this feature, we explore the special relationship between Club Car and the Ryder Cup – and how both brands have grown since 1997.
We also hear from senior executives at Club Car and the Ryder Cup, as well as the people who use Club Cars day in, day out to do their jobs.
A Leader In Innovation
Since it was founded in 1962, Club Car has pushed the boundaries in terms of innovation and technology.
From producing the first golf vehicle with a steering wheel to introducing automotive-grade lithium-ion batteries to its cars, Club Car has led the way.
The original Club Car vehicle was developed in the 1960s.
The original Club Car vehicle was developed in the 1960s.
In 1997, when the owner of Valderrama – the first Ryder Cup host in Continental Europe – had a green vision, Club Car was able to align with it.
Kevin Hart, Club Car’s Sales Director Golf Business, EMEA, explains: “At that time, 95% of golf cars were petrol-operated, but Mr. Jaime Ortiz-Patiño, then owner of Valderrama, strongly believed the future was green energy.
“He drove the decision for almost the entire fleet to be electric, and Club Car could fulfil that request.”
Around 200 electric cars were dispatched to Spain, looked after by two on-site service personnel, and Seve Ballesteros’ Europe edged out Tom Kite’s USA 14.5 – 13.5 in a thrilling contest.
In the 26 years since, Club Car has been there come rain or shine, for the glorious highs of victory to the lowest ebbs of defeat; an ever-present support act for those in the limelight.
As a trusted supplier that time and again delivers a reliable, high-quality product, Club Car vehicles have shuttled royalty, presidents and athletic greats.
Kevin Hart, who has been at every Ryder Cup since 2002 (except during COVID in 2021), says: “There have been so many highlights along the way.
A relationship of this length rarely comes without challenges, however.
“In 2001, we had the whole fleet of 300 cars on-site ready to go, then the tragedy of 9/11 happened and the event was cancelled,” Kevin Hart continues.
“And in 2010 at Celtic Manor Resort in Wales, the terrible weather made life very difficult. The buggies were under extra strain because so many people were jumping on them to get out of the rain.
“We were going through batteries every few hours, and the combination of mud and steep slopes around the course made driving the cars very tricky.”
The rain at Celtic Manor Resort in 2010 forced the first Monday finish in Ryder Cup history.
The rain at Celtic Manor Resort in 2010 forced the first Monday finish in Ryder Cup history.
King Charles III, then the Prince of Wales, at Celtic Manor Resort, Wales, in 2010.
King Charles III, then the Prince of Wales, at Celtic Manor Resort, Wales, in 2010.
US President George W. Bush at Medinah Country Club, Illinois, in 2012.
US President George W. Bush at Medinah Country Club, Illinois, in 2012.
Basketball legend and golf fan, Michael Jordan, watches the action at Valderrama, Spain, in 1997.
Basketball legend and golf fan, Michael Jordan, watches the action at Valderrama, Spain, in 1997.
"It’s an honour to have my Club Car as a reminder of what was one of the best weeks of my career at Gleneagles."
Captains' Memories
Sir Nick Faldo
2008 European Ryder Cup Captain
“My truest memory with the car was ‘The Greatest’ literally, when Muhammad Ali sat beside me and took photos with the team. To be in the presence of a champion, who at that point communicated only with the fewest words and champion’s heart, was a lifetime memory and had a true impact on me. So every time I see that car, I think of all that the Ryder Cup has meant to me. I think of Seve and Tony Jacklin, of partnerships and Muhammad Ali. I have no idea how many miles those wheels have travelled, but they represent lots in my journey of a lifetime with golf.”
Paul McGinley
2014 European Ryder Cup Captain
“My captain’s buggy is kept at Quinta do Lago in Portugal, where I have the Paul McGinley Golf Academy. I use it every time I go there and it always attracts attention when I’m out on the course in it. People like to stop and chat and take some photos. It’s always a hit for social media too. It’s an honour to have my Club Car as a reminder of what was one of the best weeks of my career at Gleneagles."
Thomas Björn
2018 European Ryder Cup Captain
"I live in London now so my captain’s car is kept at Himmerland Golf & Spa Resort in my home country, Denmark. It was great to drive it around during the Made in Himmerland event on the DP World Tour this summer - it brought back so many good memories of that incredible week at Le Golf National, Paris, in 2018. I remember sitting on my buggy on the morning of the final day, taking a rare quiet moment to think about how the day would unfold. I couldn’t have imagined at that point how euphoric it would turn out to be."
Captains' Cars - And Much More
The iconic red and blue captains’ cars, which feature patriotic branding and embroidered seats sporting the European and American flags, are synonymous with the Ryder Cup.
We often see the two captains and their vice-captains navigating the course on the iconic branded captains’ cars, and it is easy to miss the hundreds of other Club Car vehicles supporting the event in the background.
From carrying TV production teams and their equipment around the course to capture every shot, to transporting spectators around the site, the cars are crucial to the seamless operation of this large, complex sporting event.
The People In The Cars
Lara Arias
Golf Course Superintendent, Marco Simone Golf & Country Club
Chris Hopkins
Director, Hopkins Machinery
Alex Legard
Operations Executive, Ryder Cup Europe
What Makes The Partnership So Strong?
The average length of a sponsorship deal in sports is 3.3 years.*
Club Car’s 26-year association with the Ryder Cup is testament to the enduring shared values and visions of the two brands: committing to excellence and enriching the experience of users and fans around the world.
*KORE State of the Industry Report 2022/23
"Successful events are built on relationships with people. We consider Club Car to be more like friends than suppliers."
Kevin Hart, Club Car's Sales Director Golf Business EMEA, and Paul Dunstan, Ryder Cup Operations Director, explain how the cars are vital to the smooth-running of the Ryder Cup
Kevin Hart, Club Car's Sales Director Golf Business EMEA, and Paul Dunstan, Ryder Cup Operations Director, explain how the cars are vital to the smooth-running of the Ryder Cup
All Roads Lead To Rome
Assembling 550 electric vehicles in one place and keeping them running smoothly is no simple task.
Club Car, with the help of two of its European distributors, Cart Care Company and Tractor Hire, has once again coordinated this complex logistical operation, providing cars at different stages in the build-up to the Ryder Cup.
And for the first time at a Ryder Cup, the cars will be charged using solar energy from a bank of solar panels in the buggy compound, helping the event in its commitment to being net zero carbon by 2040.
Solar power will be used to charge the Club Car vehicles at Marco Simone in Italy.
Solar power will be used to charge the Club Car vehicles at Marco Simone in Italy.
Frank Ockens, CEO of Cart Care Company, explains where the vehicles come from, how they have been transported to the Italian capital and the technology that ensures they can be tracked and managed remotely.
30,000km
The estimated cumulative distance the Ryder Cup fleet will travel during Ryder Cup week at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club. That’s about three quarters of the way round the equator.
230 tonnes
The combined weight of the fleet of 550 vehicles for the 2023 Ryder Cup.
3
The number of times round the Colosseum the 550 cars would go if lined up bumper to bumper.
Contact
As well as the Ryder Cup, Club Car supplies many of the world’s leading golf destinations with its wide range of vehicles.
Club Car is also an official supplier to the DP World Tour, the PGA of America, the PGA of Great Britain and Ireland and St. Andrews Links.
In addition to personal use at private homes and estates, Club Car vehicles are used to provide safe, efficient work and transportation resources across a wide variety of industries, including other sports, travel, tourism and leisure facilities, educational institutions and government agencies.
For more information on Club Car visit: www.clubcar.com
Email: Pierre Lhernould
Head of Marketing EMEA, Club Car
Email: Kevin Hart
Sales Director EMEA, Club Car
Email: Tony Swinnerton
EMEA Commercial Vehicles Leader, Club Car
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