With one of the most unique press conferences of all time, Julius Mason of the PGA of America announced that the 47^th Ryder Cup in 2028 was returning to Hazeltine National for an encore. The cadre of local press gathered in the hallway to gorge themselves on wonderful pastries while the American Marshalls (Unofficial Ryder Cup Cheerleaders), dressed in Viking horns and Helga braids, recreated the exciting atmosphere of the 2016 Ryder Cup.

When the press and various dignitaries were settled in the grand ballroom, a short video relived the thrill of the USA victory. The video’s crescendo ending was Ryder Cup star, Captain America, winning the Masters just days earlier. Then the clever Mason announced, “Standing 17 inches tall and weighing in at four pounds let me introduce the Ryder Cup.” With the television cameras rolling, all heads turned to the left as the Gold Medal winning U.S. Olympic Curling Team escorted the most prized possession in golf onto the stage. The curling team has been on a nationwide media blitz since returning with the GOLD! But the Ryder Cup event proved to be the icing on the golden cake.

Mason scripted the announcement perfectly capturing the USA spirit with testimonials from Hazeltine President, President of the PGA, Director of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and each member of the U.S. curling team.

“In the back of our mind, we knew we had one of the most successful Ryder Cups ever,” said Paul Levy, President of the PGA of America. “Not just from the victorious American team (17-11 over Europe), but from the standpoint of hospitality, the way the community supported it, the way Hazeltine supports it. It has the space to do one, so we started talks not much past that event.”

Bob Fafinski, President of Hazeltine, recalled two special moments during the 2016 Ryder Cup. He was standing on the first tee Saturday morning just prior to the opening tee shots. “I looked up and saw two bald eagles circling over head. I play a lot of golf here, and I’ve never had eagles circle when I tee off. It couldn’t have been scripted any better.” The other special moment was when the American Flag was dropped from the clock tower the moment that Team USA had secured the Cup. “That was an emotional moment for many of the members who had worked for four years on the Ryder Cup.”

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Hazeltine, the golf club that was conceived to host major golf championships, will host one more major championship before the club’s total focus centers on the 47th Ryder Cup.

Mason introduced Renee DeLosh, Championship Director for the 2019 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. She explained that in June of 2019, the best women golfers in the world will compete on the now sacred grounds of Hazeltine National Golf Club for the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.

Renee informed the press that there is a way for rabid Ryder Cup fans to secure tickets ten years before the 2028 Matches – by supporting the Women’s Championship. “Knowing how passionate golf fans are in Minnesota, we are pleased to connect the 2019 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the 2028 Ryder Cup via a unique ticket package,” said DeLosh. Fans who purchase 10 weekly grounds tickets for the KPMG Championship at $100/ticket will be guaranteed the opportunity to purchase two weeklong grounds tickets for the 2028 Ryder Cup. The special Ryder Cup opportunity is also available for Corporate Hospitality clients. Ticket sales to the general public for the 2019 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship go on sale in July. But, the special tickets coupling the two events are now being offered. Those interested in this dual ticket option may register at www.kpmgwomenspga.com. There are a limited number of tickets available for this offer.

As Mason continued his press conference he asked questions of the Championship curling team. Each of the five-team members was asked for their personal memories of the Ryder Cup extravaganza. John Schuster, skip of the curling team, recalls being part of the huge gallery. “The enormity of the crowd and the spirit that gathered behind the players, it was just a phenomenal environment. And honestly, I’m not sure how you got so many people onto those grounds so quickly.”

The entertaining press conference continued as Mason asked members of the curling team how they would rate the pressure of curling for a gold medal to playing golf for the Ryder Cup. Almost all the men agreed that the pressures were very similar. They even talked of the jitters as each match started. Asked if the team thought that there might be a movie made of their Olympic victory like there was for The Miracle On Ice, they said it would be really nice. Then Mason asked what actor should play the various team members. The team came up with some interesting and creative answers. But the entire team thought that Matt Hamilton, the most outgoing team member, should play himself.

Mason went on to ask team members what PGA TOUR player they thought they were most like. The answers were interesting but when Mason asked Hamilton, “Whom do you feel nearest to on the TOUR?” It took Hamilton only a few seconds to answer. He first removed his gold medal then his jacket and pulled up his shirt exposing a full color tattoo of the Olympic Rings on the inside of his large biceps. Then Hamilton answered, “Rickie Flower.” As a picture of Rickie at the Rio Olympics showing off his Olympic tattoo was flashed on the screen.

The American Marshalls were then brought to the stage for a photo op with the entire group. These Team USA cheerleaders will spend the entire Ryder Cup week in France spreading good will and singing Ryder Cup songs and chants. They have a full schedule of Ryder Cup PR events, some combined with The Guardians of the Cup, Team Europe cheerleaders planned all over the nation’s capital. The American Marshals and Team USA will use the Ryder Cup to promote golf as a unifying game. The 2018 American Marshals Ryder Cup uniforms feature Via La France and a picture of the Eiffel Tower on the back. Each day the Marshals will have a strong showing at the first tee of the Ryder Cup to sing specific songs to the players and their wives

Their plans include tours of Paris, both walking and private motor coach. They will visit hospitals and schools singing and chanting to the people of Paris. They will also have some very special private times with the Guardians of the Cup with a few beers and meeting up with the players at their hotel. But the grand finale will be celebrating with the USA Ryder Cup team at their hotel on Sunday night.

Finally Mason and the PGA presented each gold medal winning team member with a personalized 2028 Ryder Cup Bag. These golf bags will remain in their trophy cases beside their gold medals.

Picture taking sessions and personal interviews followed as many members of the press were allowed to hold the large and extremely heavy Olympic medals.

Like I said, what an unusual press conference.