Germany’s bid for the 2022 Ryder Cup Germany bids for the most prestigious golf competition in the world with A-‐ROSA Scharmützelsee resort – Sir Nick Faldo to modify the Ryder Cup course Berlin, 25th March 2015. Germany is bidding to host the 2022 Ryder Cup at the A-‐
ROSA Scharmützelsee resort (Bad Saarow) in the Berlin-‐Brandenburg region. Marco Kaussler, head of the RC Deutschland bid, and Hans Joachim Nothelfer, President of the German Golf Federation, announced the bid in the Allianz Forum at the Brandenburg Gate. RC Deutschland GmbH Kreuzberger Ring 64 65205 Wiesbaden Media Contact: Marco Kaussler [email protected] Tel +49 89 7489099 17 Fax +49 89 7489099 9 www.godeutschland22.eu www.facebook.com/godeutschland2022
godeutschland2022 The Ryder Cup is the most attractive and compelling golf tournament in the world. Every two years, the top European golfers take on the best the USA has to offer in this prestigious team competition, with each team taking it in turns to host the event every two years. In 2022, when Europe has home advantage, this major sporting event will be held outside the British Isles for only the third time. Last year, 255,000 people flocked to Gleneagles in Scotland to watch the 2014 Ryder Cup, and over five million ticket applications were received. The event was broadcast on TV in 183 countries around the world, with coverage available to more than 500 million households. Speaking at today’s press conference, Andreas Statzkowski, Berlin’s Minister of State of the Interior and Sports, and Brandenburg’ government spokesman, Thomas Braune, emphasised the importance of the Ryder Cup to both German states. The German bid can count on great support from the worlds of politics, sport and the economy as it takes on rival bids from Spain, Portugal, Italy and Austria. The bid documents must be submitted by the end of April, with the final decision regarding the venue for the 2022 Ryder Cup to be made this Autumn. In the past few weeks, a delegation from Ryder Cup Europe LLP, who will decide who to award the Ryder Cup to, spent two days visiting Berlin and Brandenburg. The delegation gained an initial, positive impression of the golf course and was impressed by the German capital and the possibilities it offers.
The guests also visited the Federal Chancellery and met the city’s Governing Mayor, Michael Müller, and economic partners. The delegation headed back to London with many positive impressions of the support the bid can count on. One cornerstone in the bid is the golf course that will host the week-‐long event. The A-‐ROSA Scharmützelsee resort is a multi-‐award winning facility on the outskirts of Berlin, and already meets many of the Ryder Cup’s strict requirements. Should the bid prove successful, the tournament will be played on the Faldo Course Berlin, which is regarded as the most demanding golf course in Germany. As the name suggests, the course was designed by former world number one and the most successful European Ryder Cup player, Sir Nick Faldo (England). The course must be extended and modified in order to live up to the prestigious competition and the huge numbers of spectators expected. The A-‐ROSA Scharmützelsee resort boasts the area required, while Faldo has a vision for the course. The six-‐time major winner will call on his vast wealth of experience as a golf course architect, player, team captain and TV pundit to design a Ryder Cup course that will satisfy the highest demands of the protagonists, spectators and the media. RC Deutschland GmbH Kreuzberger Ring 64 65205 Wiesbaden Media Contact: Marco Kaussler [email protected] Tel +49 89 7489099 17 Fax +49 89 7489099 9 www.godeutschland22.eu www.facebook.com/godeutschland2022
godeutschland2022 There is huge enthusiasm for the Ryder Cup in German golf and sport circles. The fan campaign was also launched at the press conference. Top German golfers Marcel Siem, Martin Kaymer, Max Kieffer, Moritz Lampert and Dominic Foos gave “GoDeutschland22” their full backing in a video message. You can find more information on the German bid and the Ryder Cup at the website: www.godeutschland22.eu Videos to accompany the supporter campaign will be released shortly on Facebook: www.facebook.com/godeutschland2022 Quotes regarding Germany’s bid for the 2022 Ryder Cup Hans Joachim Nothelfer (President of the German Golf Federation): “The DGV is in close contact with politicians, and we are very grateful for the great support from the world of politics. At the Federation Day in November, the DGV members gave us their emphatic support to push ahead with preparing the bid for the Ryder Cup. A Ryder Cup would be hugely important for golf in Germany. After the Solheim Cup, which will take place in St. Leon Rot this September, the time is right for the Ryder Cup to come to Germany too. This is a big opportunity for golf in Germany.” Marco Kaussler (Head of the RC Deutschland bid): “We can now get the German bid for the 2022 Ryder Cup up and running with great confidence. The time has come to bring this unique competition to Germany and, as we did during the fairy-‐tale summer of 2006, to celebrate together with an enthusiastic public from all over the world. The Ryder Cup is the only globally-‐
covered sporting competition, at which European sportsmen come together to compete as one team. Berlin is synonymous with the European philosophy, is located at the heart of Europe, and is thus the perfect venue in this regard.” RC Deutschland GmbH Kreuzberger Ring 64 65205 Wiesbaden Media Contact: Marco Kaussler [email protected] Tel +49 89 7489099 17 Fax +49 89 7489099 9 www.godeutschland22.eu www.facebook.com/godeutschland2022
godeutschland2022 Michael Müller (Governing Mayor of Berlin): “It was a great pleasure to meet the Ryder Cup delegation last week. I agreed, on behalf of the state of Berlin, to support the German bid. Berlin is an international sporting metropolis and has often proven to be a good host of major sporting events. The 2022 Ryder Cup would be perfectly suited to Berlin, and we are confident that the German bid is on the right track.” Dr. Dietmar Woidke (Minister-‐President of Brandenburg): “With 20 courses, the region around the German capital offers an optimal infrastructure for the Olympic sport of golf. The global interest the Ryder Cup attracts now provides Brandenburg and Berlin with a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of this fascinating offering, to present our beautiful region to the world, and to inspire new tourists.” Peter Altmaier (Federal Minister): “We were only too happy to receive the Ryder Cup delegation in the chancellery. Like the Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel, I believe that the Ryder Cup is not only a magnificent sporting event, but also embodies transatlantic friendship and the transatlantic bond in a way that no other event achieves. It would be great if Germany were to host this team competition between Europe and the USA, which is not only competitive, but also played in the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship. I wish the German bid every success.” Richard J. Vogel (CEO of DSR Hotel Holding):
“With our extensive resort, the Faldo Course Berlin, which is known throughout Europe, the two hotels and our many years of experience, we are ideally positioned to professionally stage a world-‐class event of this magnitude. A successful bid will mean a considerable investment for the owners of the course and for us as tenant and operating company. However, we are confident that this contribution is sustainable – in every respect.” RC Deutschland GmbH Kreuzberger Ring 64 65205 Wiesbaden Media Contact: Marco Kaussler [email protected] Tel +49 89 7489099 17 Fax +49 89 7489099 9 www.godeutschland22.eu www.facebook.com/godeutschland2022
godeutschland2022 Sir Nick Faldo (former world number one, golf course designer and most successful Ryder Cup Player): “When I think of the Ryder Cup and Bad Sarrow, I have a vision which creates a strategic course the players will enjoy and which will create some storied drama in a matchplay format. I believe we will create an environment for history and for the fans. We will create open spaces for spectators and atmosphere. As a TV analyst, I can see the pictures we will show the world. The Ryder Cup means a lot to me and the contributions of the German players has been significant. Bringing the Ryder Cup is a salute to them and the opportunity to write another chapter in German and European golf history. I am looking forward to developing this stage. Together we can do it!” Alfons Hörmann (President of the German Olympic Sports Confederation DOSB): “The DOSB expressly welcomes the news that Germany is bidding to host the 2022 Ryder Cup. As of next year, golf will be an Olympic sport again. This will add to what is already huge international interest in the game of golf. Berlin will be a fantastic host for the European team’s ‘home match’ – and our American friends will also be made to feel very at home here. A successful Ryder Cup campaign will give golf a big boost in Germany.” Norbert Löhlein (chairman of the supervisory board at RC Deutschland GmbH, Vice President of the German Golf Federation): “The German bid for the 2022 Ryder Cup is very much heading in the right direction. We have managed to pool our strengths. We are certain that we will submit a convincing bid to Ryder Cup Europe LLP on 30th April, which will give us every chance of bringing this sporting event, with all its international charisma, to Germany.“ Richard Hills (Ryder Cup Director): “We have enjoyed our two day visit to Berlin and Brandenburg. The ability to see what Berlin as a city and the region as whole could offer The Ryder Cup by way of facilities, infrastructure and an iconic backdrop, has been most useful. We look forward to working with the German bid team as they finalise the details of their bid." Martin Kaymer (two-‐time major winner, three-‐time Ryder Cup winner): “There is nothing bigger than the Ryder Cup. It is hard to describe in words how it feels as a player, or the emotion the fans show. If Germany gets the nod, it will be a big opportunity for golf to immediately attract more attention here – particularly as golf will be an Olympic sport again in 2016. The 2022 Ryder Cup in Germany would allow us to show just how fantastic golf can be.” Bernhard Langer (two-‐time Masters champion, six Ryder Cup wins as a player, one Ryder Cup win as captain): RC Deutschland GmbH Kreuzberger Ring 64 65205 Wiesbaden Media Contact: Marco Kaussler [email protected] Tel +49 89 7489099 17 Fax +49 89 7489099 9 www.godeutschland22.eu www.facebook.com/godeutschland2022
godeutschland2022 “For a golfer, the Ryder Cup is unlike anything else, and it is a great honour to be a part of it. You represent your country and your continent. You want to win as a team and to soak up these unique emotions. I have countless great memories of the Ryder Cup, which I experienced as a player and captain. Germany is ready for a Ryder Cup and would be an excellent choice. I support the German bid for the 2022 Ryder Cup with all my heart.” Marcel Siem (four-‐time winner on the European Tour): “A Ryder Cup in Germany would be a milestone for us. It would really get the ball rolling and provide us with a chance to inspire young people to get involved in golf. For me, it would be terrific to tee off at a Ryder Cup in Germany. I wish the German bid all the best – and if the Ryder Cup is awarded to Germany, I will do everything in my power to be there.”