Ryder Cup 2018: Germany

Golfmagic assesses those hoping to host in seven years time

Alex Perry and Andy Roberts
Fri, 13 May 2011
Ryder Cup 2018: Germany

The 2018 Ryder Cup will be held in continental Europe for just the second time in its history.

The venue announcement is edging nearer and on Tuesday (May 17) one of Portugal, France, Spain, Holland and Germany will be celebrating becoming the hosts of the biannual Anglo-American battle.

In the second of a five part series between now and the big day, Golfmagic takes a look at the contenders. Today, it’s the Germans…

Germany

The 2018 Ryder Cup coincides with the world-famous beer festival, Oktoberfest. But will the German’s be raising a glass to victory on Tuesday?

The Course

Although that might not turn out to be conductive decision for some golf fans, waking up to watch the early morning Sunday singles with an aspirin and glass of water to hand, it would certainly add a whole new dimension to the trip to Wittelsbach Rohrenfeld near Munich.

But let’s take nothing away from the 7,655-yard long par-72 Audi Ryder Cup course, designed by architect Thomas Himmel, that is expected to be finished four years before the Thursday morning four-balls take to the first tee. Himmel’s architecture has sought to pitch all the drama between holes 14 and 17.

The course is situated just 30 minutes from Munich Airport and ten minutes from a major highway, so European and American fans will have no problems travelling to and from the event.

The Legacy

The Royal Estate of Rohrenfeld and other estates have been owned by the Wittelsbach family since the year 1487. The owner of the entire area of 370 hectares is now the Wittelsbacher Ausgleichsfonds. The Wittelsbacher Golf Club, founded in 1988, is located on 70 hectares; 300 hectares are currently used for farming.

The compound contains the manor house of the estate and the Grünau hunting lodge, which was built in the year 1555. The idea to host the Ryder Cup Match in Rohrenfeld in the year 2018 originated from the Wittelsbacher Ausgleichsfonds in May 2008. 

Who’s backing it?

Wittelsbacher Auslgeichsfonds and Audi provide plenty of capital to see them compete with their rivals, while support has been received by PGA of Germany, Langer Golf, German Golf Association and Bavarian Golf Association. Celebrity backers including Franz Beckenbauer, Boris Becker and Oliver Khan.

They say…

“I think if we get the Ryder Cup here in 2018, then it will be down to the fact that we had a very strong bid and all of the people here at the table and many others, people from the German industry, the politicians that everybody really wants it. I know that I can’t get the Ryder Cup here by myself but I think every extra wheel on the wagon will make a difference.”
Two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer

We say…

Having someone like Langer behind their bid is a major coup, but it’s hardly surprising who he’s rooting for. There are three stronger bids than Germany’s, but we live in a world where money talks – so who knows?

Ryder Cup 2018: Portugal’s host bid

Ryder Cup 2018: France’s host bid

Ryder Cup 2018: Holland’s host bid

Ryder Cup 2018: Spain’s host bid