Ryder Cup officials expect 200,000 spectators throughout the weekend.GETTY IMAGES
Around 800 policemen, firefighters and security officials “will ensure the safety” at Le Golf National outside of Paris, where 200,000 spectators are expected for the Ryder Cup, which starts on Friday, according to LE MONDE. The security at the 193-hectare site is “an enormous task” for organizers of the event. The plan coordinated by the Yvelines Prefecture was “prepared two years in advance.” It includes teams with dogs trained to “sniff out explosives on people on the move” and specialized anti-drone teams equipped with jammers and special rifles. Security will be present throughout the event, and “each player will be accompanied by a gendarme on the course” (LE MONDE, 9/26).
HUGE CROWDS: MORNING READ's Barry Cronin reported the Ryder Cup organizers are "anticipating the biggest crowds ever," with nearly 60,000 fans a day "expected to show up in full voice." Tournament organizers have "constructed huge grandstands" around the first tee -- with approximately 6,900 seats -- as "massive European crowds are expected to exhort their team to take back the cup." Golf Channel's Mark Rolfing said the setting will be the "grandest arena ever assembled for a first hole" and "more than double the size of any first-tee setup ever" (MORNING READ, 9/26).
NATIONAL PRIDE: In N.Y., Christopher Clarey reported French Ryder Cup Committee President Pascal Grizot noted 44% of tickets have been sold to fans from France. Grizot added that the event "had been sold out for months." The "original plan to attract more than 60,000 spectators per day was downsized for security reasons and to ease transport concerns." More than 50,000 fans are expected for competition on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, "despite there being no pedestrian access to the course." About 35% of those who bought tickets are British or Irish, while 14% are American (N.Y. TIMES, 9/27).
