Ryder Cup Prestige Booklet Perfect Gift for the Golfer on Your List

County Stamp Center is pleased to offer the Ryder Cup Golf Tournament Prestige Booklet commemorating the 2006 biennial competition. Held this year at the K Club in Ireland, the Ryder Golf Tournament pits the best professional golfers in European against those in the US. This beautifully detailed booklet describes the tournament course, history of the series, development of golf in Ireland, portraits of golf champions, and special info on the featured "action stamps."

Founded on prestige, not prize money, the biennial Ryder Cup was first contested in 1927 with the 2006 Cup being the 36th transatlantic matchup. The origination of the idea has become hazy with time and is attributed either to Sylvanus Jermain, president of Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio, or to James Harnett as a circulation booster for Golf Illustrated. The original matches pitted professional golfers in Great Britain against Americans. The first unofficial match was played in 1921 at Gleneagles, Scotland with the British routing the Americans 9-3.

During the 1926 unofficial match, English entrepreneur and golf enthusiast Samuel Ryder, inspired by the camaraderie of the players, exclaimed, "Why can't they all get to know each other? I will give 5 pounds to each of the winning players, and give a party afterwards with champagne and chicken sandwiches." From this humble beginning sprang one of golfing's great events. Ryder enthusiastically agreed to provide a trophy and worked to establish regular matches. The golden trophy cup he donated bears his name and a likeness of British golf great Abe Mitchell, who beat the reigning US Open Champion Jim Barnes in the 1926 singles matchup, going on to help the British team beat the Americans that year.

In 1979 Great Britain expanded its player pool to include golfers from continental Europe. The change was suggested by US golfing icon Jack Nicklaus who said, "It is vital to widen the selection procedures if the Ryder Cup is to continue to enjoy its past prestige." Ironically, this marked the end of US domination of the competition.

Wonderful color photos, extensive text, and dynamic stamps make the Ryder Cup prestige booklet a great collectible for golfers, sports enthusiasts, and stamp collectors alike. Specially priced at County Stamp Center for only $25.62, click the post title to order.

And while you're visiting our website, take a look at our selection of US Classics, newly revised, exquisitely detailed, and specially priced. Don't miss this great opportunity to add to your collection some of the rarest and most desired US stamps of the late 1800s and early 1900s, including the Battle of White Plains sheet, Columbian Expo singles and sets, Louisiana Purchase set, Pan American Expo set, and many more. Visit the County Stamp Center website for all your philatelic needs.