Ryder Cup tickets warning

By Mark Garrod, Press Association Sport Golf Correspondent Last updated: 9th November 2009

Golf fans are being warned about forged or invalid tickets for next October's Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in Wales.

Photographic identification is being introduced for the first time, and Richard Hills, the European Ryder Cup Director, said: "We need to make it clear to anyone intending to be at the 2010 Ryder Cup that they are strongly advised to purchase tickets through the official channel.

"Failure to comply with this warning could lead to fans being seriously overcharged for tickets which are simply not valid and unnecessary disappointment as those unwitting fans are turned away.

"We are receiving an increasing number of enquiries from members of the public who have paid for Ryder Cup tickets and hospitality through unofficial sources.

"In all cases, the sums involved have been far in excess of the face value of the tickets and it would appear that the seller is unable to absolutely guarantee entry into the event."

As in previous years, public tickets to the match are being awarded by a ballot system and applications must be made through the website address: rydercup.com/tickets.

Ryder Cup Europe is equally aware from previous matches of the threat posed by unauthorised organisations offering hospitality packages for sale.

In 2006, a number of companies were informed they had purchased non-existent inventory.

Ryder Cup Europe have now been made aware of pirate hospitality agencies again offering illegal cup packages and advises the only companies officially appointed to service the contest are Keith Prowse, IMG Hospitality, the Mike Burton Group, CSL Hospitality (Ireland) and Ryder Cup Travel Services.

Hills added: "There are imposters out there prepared to try and cheat not only individual purchasers, but also companies.

"We want to protect all golf fans from being duped and we want to protect the good name that Wales has for hospitality.

"We urge everyone to check and double check before parting with their money as there appears to be an increasing number of operators seeking to sell hospitality packages through unauthorised and invalid channels."

Hospitality package details are available on rydercuphospitality.com.

Mark Garrod, Press Association Sport Golf Correspondent