“It is unforgivable for Ryder’2031 to move to Madrid or another community”

“It is inexcusable and seriously irresponsible on the part of the Government of the Generalitat that 2031 Ryder Cup transferred to Madrid or another Autonomous Community when the priority is Catalonia, specifically Caldes de Malavella (Girona) and the PGA Catalunya Resort (now Camiral Wellness Resort). We ask those responsible Government of the Generalitat of Catalonia that they have dedicated all their efforts, dedication and excellence to support without limitation the candidacy for the Ryder of 2031″. It cannot be said more clearly and strongly. A phrase, without a doubt, with a direct message to those politician of the Palau de la Plaça Sant Jaume .

This is the general feeling of Catalan institutions, entities and organizations, civic society, united around Foment del Treball and the figure of its president, Josep Sánchez Llibre -the great promoter of the candidacy and who goes out of his way every other day so that the 2031 Ryder comes to Catalonia-, in the ceremony held this Thursday at the headquarters of the association of Catalan employers in Via Layetana in Barcelona under of the motto : ‘Save the Ryder Cup 2031’.

In a tone of exclamation – and earnest request to Government headed by Pere Aragonès-, Sánchez Llibre declared to close the reading of the manifesto in support of the candidacy of the Ryder Cup 2031 read by President of the Council of Chambers of Commerce of Catalonia, Jaume Fàbregaand Ramón Nogué, president of the Catalan Golf Federation.

A ‘manifest’ highlighting the global dimension of the fantastic golf competition that takes place every two years between Europe and the US -the next places in Europe, 2023 Rome and 2027 Ireland-: creation of more than 1,000 positions at work, almost 300,000 viewers during the week of the event, an economic impact in the Territory of more than 1,300 million euros, 600 million households will watch it on television, with more than 2,500 hours of transmission in 180 countries.

“We are in front of a great opportunity. The Ryder Cup is a dynamic element for the Territory, we are an attractive country and the economic data is very relevant”, highlighted Sánchez Llibre while Nogué assured that “those with -owners of the Ryder Cup they have decided that they want to organize the 2031 edition in Caldes de Malavella, and now we cannot betray them”.

Nogué explained the fact that “we have already done the homework that the Generalitat asked us to do during our last visit: approve the corresponding item in the Government and State budgets, we also have the OK from the Spanish Government, we have the support of PGA, Spanish Golf Federation, FCG and other sports establishments… And yet, some may not be interested in Ryder being held in Catalonia”.

Nogué added an amazing fact and that is that Catalonia may be the only region in the world that has organized four major sporting events that exist today on the planet: Soccer World Championship in 1982, Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992, Copa América sailing in 2024 and the Ryder Cup in 2031. “The lack of trust must stop and there must be more participation of public administrations,” said Sánchez Llibre who was sitting next to him.

Gerard Esteva, President of UFECalso touched the fiber, saying that “the best in the world have to go to Catalonia, a host country and the Ryder Cup is important to appreciate a sustainable project, and to leave a sporting, economic and quality heritage of tourism. We need projects of these qualities to be a better country. And the Generalitat needs to be involved in the leadership values ​​it sends to sport”.

Nogué emphasized that “the deadlines are getting smaller although we still have two or three months to know the final decision. But it is clear that the risk now is that he will leave Catalonia for the rest of Spain. If he does not receive support here[…]of the Generalitat hides another community, which fully supports it”.

Finally, David Plana, CEO of Camiral Wellness (former PGA Catalunya) confirmed that the third golf course required to host the competition and everything included in terms of hospitality tents, merchandising, press, radio and TY, hospitality, etc, etc “have been approved in Development Plan Urbanistic and it will be built, with Ryder or without Ryder”.