news-2-you Volume XV, Advanced Edition 5 n2y.com September 24, 2012 RYDER CUP GOLF In 2010, the Ryder Cup was played at the Celtic Manor Resort in Wales. The Ryder Cup is a famous golf tournament. It is played every two years. Some of the best professional golfers in America play some of the best professional golfers in Europe. The Ryder Cup is played on the world s best golf courses. The location changes each time. The 2010 Ryder Cup was played in Europe, in Newport, Wales. This year s Ryder Cup will be played in America, near Chicago, Illinois. The tournament will be at the famous Medinah Country Club. The dates are September 25 to September 30. Every golf fan in America and Europe will be watching. September 24, 2012 http://www.rydercup.com/2012 1997-2012 n2y, Inc. page 1
news page Fans were excited when Team Europe won the 2010 Ryder Cup. Professional golf is a very popular sport. Every summer weekend, there is a big golf tournament somewhere in America. But the Ryder Cup is different than the other tournaments. Here are three things that make it different and make it special: *The tournament is played only once every two years. *The tournament winner is a team, not an individual player. *The tournament winners do not receive any prize money. September 24, 2012 1997-2012 n2y, Inc. page 2
news page The Ryder Cup teams are chosen very carefully. Each team has 12 players, plus a team captain. In America, the top eight 2012 money winners were invited to join the team. America s team captain, Davis Davis Love III Love III, picked the last four players. The best Ryder Cup team is a mix of older and younger golfers. America has a strong group of talented young golfers to choose from. Some young Ryder Cup players to watch are: Webb Simpson (27), Jason Dufner (35) and one member of the Golf Boys singing group. The singing golfer is Bubba Watson (33). Bubba Watson September 24, 2012 1997-2012 n2y, Inc. page 3
news page The fi rst Ryder Cup was played in 1927, in Massachusetts. An American team defeated a team from Great Britain. Since then, the Cup has been played every other year (except for the World War II years, 1939-1945). In the beginning, America always played Great Britain. The bigger nation--the United States--won most of the matches. In 1997, the Ryder Cup rules were changed. The British team was allowed to include golfers from any European nation. With those new players, from countries such as Spain and Germany, Team Europe became much stronger. Team USA was no longer favored to win every Cup. In the history of the Ryder Cup, Team USA still has the most wins. But Team Europe has won four of the last fi ve Cups. September 24, 2012 The American team won the trophy in the fi rst Ryder Cup. 1997-2012 n2y, Inc. page 4
news page Team Europe Captain Jose Maria Olazabal and Team USA Captain Davis Love III On September 30, the 2012 Ryder Cup will be awarded. Only one team--the winning team--will lift the golden trophy. That team will celebrate on the course in Medinah, Illinois. Fans of the winning team will celebrate around the world. But the real winners of any Ryder Cup match are golf fans everywhere. Every two years, those fans can enjoy exciting Ryder Cup golf. The Cup matches are a perfect mix of talent and sportsmanship. Some say that it is golf at its best. Watch the Ryder Cup on TV, and see if you agree. September 24, 2012 1997-2012 n2y, Inc. page 5
review page 1. WHAT is the main idea of this story? The best golfers in America and Europe are playing against each other this month. The best Ryder Cup team has a mix of older and younger golfers. The Ryder Cup is being played in Medinah, Illinois. 2. CIRCLE True or False about the following statements: The Ryder Cup is played every two years. The tournament winners receive $10,000 and a special ring. Bubba Watson is a singer in the Golf Boys. True True True False False False 3. ANSWER these questions about the story: What is the American Ryder Cup team called? How many players are on each team? What country did America play in the first Ryder Cup? 4. NUMBER these events in the order they happened: In 1997, the Ryder Cup rules were changed. The first Ryder Cup was played in 1927, in Massachusetts. The 2010 Ryder Cup was played in Europe, in Newport, Wales. 5. CIRCLE Fact or Opinion about the following statements: Golf is not exciting. Fact Opinion The Ryder Cup is golf at its best. Fact Opinion In 2014, the Ryder Cup will be in Europe. Fact Opinion September 24, 2012 1997-2012 n2y, Inc. page 6
think page 1. WHY is the Ryder Cup a special tournament for golf? 2. HOW did the 1997 rule change help Team Europe in the Ryder Cup? 3. Would you rather watch the Golf Boys play golf or sing? WHY? 4. WHICH do you like better, team sports or individual sports? Why? September 24, 2012 1997-2012 n2y, Inc. page 7
Index for Photographs Page 1-http://i.cdn.turner.com/pga/cs/sites/rydercup/2010/europe/course/images/ overview2_480x288_1.jpg Page 2-http://media.masslive.com/republican/photo/8938479-essay.jpg Page 3-http://i.usatoday.net/sports/_photos/2011/10/10/Love-III-quickly-builds-McGladrey-Classic- G8F8VAL-x-large.jpg Page 3-http://i.cdn.turner.com/pgatour/big/images/headshots/1.0/default/165x219/25804.jpg Page 4-http://i.pga.com/pga/images/rydercup/history_matches.jpg Page 5-http://i2.cdn.turner.com/dr/pga/sites/default/files/articles/ryder-trailer-2-092711-640x360.jpg September 24, 2012 1997-2012 n2y, Inc. page 8