Ryder Cup Player Origins: Where to play and stay in famous golfer’s hometowns
With the Ryder Cup upon us, all eyes are on the biennial men ’ s golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States Players will take on the Marco Simone Golf Course in Guidonia Montecelio near Rome this year. For those who can’t travel to Italy to see the players in action, here are our recommendations for where to play and stay throughout the year based on competitors’ hometowns
Rory McIlroy, Northern Ireland
The four-time Major Champion heads to Marco Simone as one of Team Europe’s most experienced and accomplished Ryder Cup players
Originally from Northern Ireland, we recommend booking a tee time at Royal County Down Golf Club in Newcastle Located in one of the world’s most naturally beautiful links settings amid the Murlough Nature Reserve, golfers can take on the legendary course that is consistently ranked one of the top courses in the world year after year When visiting, stay at the newly-opened Slieve Donard, the latest addition to the Marine & Lawn brand, the only hotel group in the world devoted to creating upscale hotel experiences in iconic golf destinations The historic 1800s Victorian building has been revived to its former glory as the perfect resting place
The lobby at Slieve Donard, photo courtesy Marine & LawnBrian Harman, Sea Island
On the heels of his dominating performance at The Open Championship in July, Harman takes on the Ryder Cup from his home base in Sea Island, Georgia. The destination needs no introduction
Sea Island is worldrenowned for its three championship golf courses – Seaside, Plantation, and Retreat -- and state-of-the-art Golf Performance Center featuring industryleading technology, six instruction and club fitting bays, a putting studio, and more Lucky for Sea Island visitors, just next door to the golf club is the newly renovated The Lodge at Sea Island Stay in one of the plush renovated guestrooms and enjoy the fun milk and cookies turndown service. If you really want to pamper yourself, visit the new Barbershop in the Men’s Locker Room for a fresh shave and cut
Brooks Koepka, Florida
Brooks Koepka will compete in his fourth consecutive Ryder Cup as just the third player to win three or more PGA Championships since it became a stroke play event in 1958. Make a trip down south to West Palm Beach to take on idyllic courses at the private The Preserve at Ironhorse, the public Palm Beach Golf Course and many more Just 30 minutes outside of West Palm Beach is The Boca Raton – South Florida’s iconic resort and private club that is reserved for club members and resort guests
Sitting on the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, golf at The Boca Raton offers stunning natural views and premier play in the balmy, beachside air The course features twelve acres of water, a signature island-green finishing hole, an undeniable sense of history
Robert MacIntyre, Scotland
Robert MacIntyre will make his first appearance for Team Europe after securing the third automatic qualification spot on the European Points List MacIntyre joins the team from golf’s home country – Scotland. What better course to take on than the home of golf itself – The Old Course at St Andrews Dream of the links while staying at Rusacks St Andrews, which overlooks the 1st and 18th holes of the Old Course Or, take on the iconic Royal Dornoch Old Course while staying at the recently-renovated Dornoch Station, which overlooks the course
The Boca Raton
Rusack's St Andrews, courtesy Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts