Upwards Of 15,000 Spectators Expected As Ryder Cup Officially Tees Off

The Ryder Cup began this morning from Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn., before a "raucous standing-room only” crowd of 1,500 at the first tee box. The gates did not officially open until 6:30am CT, but some fans snuck in early and “immediately got the best seats that they could get.” Golf Channel’s Tim Rosaforte said, “This scene at the first hole is so unique to golf. It's almost like a football game type of mentality. … Today promises to be the most insane scene we've ever seen” (“Live from the Ryder Cup,” Golf Channel, 9/30). A crowd of 15,000 is expected to fill Hazeltine with “sights and sounds unlike any other in golf” (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 9/30).

Prior to the start of competition, a tribute video to the late Arnold Palmer played at the course, with the fans at the first tee breaking into a chant of “Ar-nold Pal-mer” (Golf Channel, 9/30). All players today “will wear pins and fans will receive buttons that say, ‘I Am a Member of Arnie’s Army’” (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 9/30).