KOHLER — The sad note of waiting for the 2020 Ryder Cup until September 2021 is quickly washed away by the fact that organizers want this event so bad to happen in Wisconsin, at Whistling Straits.
"At one point, offered you know, Kohler an opportunity to step out of the contract if they wanted to, given you know the risks involved," PGA Of America CEO Seth Waugh says. "And they are fully committed. Fully excited about this. We think it's an amazing venue."
Apparently, fans have the same thoughts, as ticket sales are through the roof.
"I think the fans response to ticket sales and corporate sponsorships and everything else, has been, you know, incredible. You know, we like to do what we say we're going to do," said Waugh.
And for Wisconsin fans, there's still the positive note of the Ruder Cup still happening in the state. Just not until next year.
"We have a commitment to be in Wisconsin in 2020. So we're going to hold the 2020 Ryder Cup. It's just going to be in 2021. Look, Whistling Straits is on the logo. And we're gonna play it next year in 2021, and can't wait to do it. They deserve it. The game deserves it. And the citizens of Wisconsin deserve it. And we're going to deliver it," said Waugh.
The fan experience is crucial, and even though many scenarios were talked about, USA Captain and Wisconsin native Steve Stricker knows the Ryder Cup is as much about you, as anything.
"A Ryder Cup without fans, wouldn't be much of a Ryder Cup to be quite honest," Stricker says. "This event is built around the fans. And players feed off that energy from the fans. The people love coming to this event. It's an unbelievable spectacle, and to play it without fans, I think would be cheating out everybody, every golf fan in the world."
Stricker jokes he can handle a third year of being the U-S captain, since it's still in the Badger state.
