Sam Torrance’’s inspired captaincy of Europe’’s Ryder Cup Team at The De Vere Belfry has earned the 49 year old Scot an OBE in the New Year Honours List to set alongside the MBE he received for services to golf in 1996.
Europe beat the United States 15 ½ - 12 ½ in The 34th Ryder Cup Matches last September to regain Sam Ryder’’s famous gold trophy, and Torrance’’s contribution was widely regarded as a major contributing factor towards that success.
Torrance, who holed the winning putt at the same venue 17 years earlier, commented: “This is a wonderful honour and one I am proud and delighted to accept. Obviously, it is a reflection on what happened at The De Vere Belfry but also an award for golf in general.
“I think The Ryder Cup showed that sport at the highest level can be played in the right spirit and in a dignified and sporting manner. This award would not have been possible without the tremendous efforts of the 12 players, the rest of the backroom team and everyone else involved, from the spectators to the green keeping staff and I thank every one of them.”
Ken Schofield, Executive Director of The European Tour, said: “We are all thrilled for Sam. This could not have happened to a more popular or successful campaigner. Remarkably, Sam actually pre-dates The European Tour, having taken up Membership in 1971, but he has been the bedrock of the Tour over the years and this honour is richly deserved.”
