PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Nearly six years in the making, the Ryder Cup, Samuel Ryder's famed golden trophy, made a triumphant return to PGA of America Headquarters in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., today. Following the United States Ryder Cup Team's dramatic 16 ½ to 11½ victory in the 37th Ryder Cup at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky., PGA of America Chief Executive Officer Joe Steranka and U.S. Ryder Cup Assistant Captain Olin Browne presented the fabled trophy amidst a raucous "13th Man" ovation from joyous PGA staff and local officials.

In addition, U.S. Team Captain Paul Azinger joined the celebration of the United States' record 25th victory in the biennial competition with Europe via conference call, along with two surprise guests -- U.S. Team rookie sensation J.B. Holmes and Valhalla Golf Club PGA Head Professional Keith Reese.

"There was nobody more integral and central to the U.S. victory than our Ryder Cup Captain, Paul Azinger," said Steranka, who led a toast to the team. "This year, right off the bat, we got an early lead and never let up, and the great Kentucky fans got into it right away…To the victorious U.S. Ryder Cup Captain and Team, here's to the Champions!"

Azinger, who had appeared in four previous Ryder Cups as a player, admired the will of the U.S. Team. "I consider it the greatest honor for anyone to captain the United States Ryder Cup Team. If you look at the level of play, you can only be proud to be an American. The players lifted us all up. They deserved it. It was awesome to watch."

The United States lost possession of the Ryder Cup on Sept. 29, 2002, at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield, England. It would eventually take 5 years, 11 months and 24 days before the U.S. Team reclaimed its rights at Valhalla last Sunday. This 2,185-day absence made the clinching of the Ryder Cup all the much sweeter for the joyous U.S. Team.

"It was an extraordinary experience," added Browne. "I'm so thankful to Paul Azinger and The PGA of America to represent this great country in this remarkable experience called the Ryder Cup. Everyone contributed. The 12 guys each did their part – nobody rode the bench until Sunday. And the result is the Ryder Cup that you see here today."

Holmes, a native of Campbellsville, Ky., had an "Old Kentucky Homecoming" at Valhalla to cherish forever, as he led a charge of U.S. Ryder Cup rookies that were the ultimate keys in the U.S. march to victory. "The 13th Man – the crowd – was unbelievable. I don't think I'll ever experience anything like that again."
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"I'm not sure there's a scale that can measure this," said Reese. "It was such an unbelievable event."

In 1927, Samuel Ryder, an English seed merchant, presented the Ryder Cup as a prize for an international competition between American and British professional golfers. The trophy stands 17 inches high, is nine inches from handle to handle and weighs four pounds. The figure depicted on top of the trophy is of Abe Mitchell, a friend and golf instructor of Samuel Ryder, who competed in the 1929, '31 and '33 Ryder Cups.

The Ryder Cup trophy and a special tribute display, will be open for general public viewing at PGA Headquarters each weekday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., beginning Friday, Sept. 26, 2008, until it is eventually transferred to a special "13th Man" public exhibit at PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

The 38th Ryder Cup will take place at Celtic Manor in Newport, Wales, Sept. 28-Oct. 3, 2010.

About the Ryder Cup:
Begun in 1927, The Ryder Cup is among the last great professional sporting events where winning, and not prize money, is its own reward. The United States, which owns a 25-10-2 advantage in the biennial competition, currently owns possession of the Ryder Cup.

About The PGA of America:
Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.

By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $76 billion golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class Championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere.
The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.

The PGA of America, 100 Avenue of the Champions, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418

Contact:
Julius Mason
561/624-8444
jmason@pgahq.com