Our role model - Samuel Ryder
Samuel Ryder a brief History
Samuel Ryder (1858–1936) was an English businessman and golf enthusiast best known for founding the Ryder Cup, one of golf’s most prestigious team competitions.
Born on March 24, 1858, in Walton-le-Dale near Preston, Lancashire, England, he was one of eight children of a gardener and seed merchant father. He grew up in the Manchester area and initially worked in his family’s business.
In the 1890s, Ryder revolutionized the seed industry by pioneering the sale of garden seeds in affordable “penny packets”, making them accessible to ordinary gardeners. This innovative mail-order approach turned his Heath & Heather seed business into a major success. In 1895, he moved the company (and his family) to St Albans, Hertfordshire, where he later served as mayor and justice of the peace.
Ryder took up golf relatively late in life, around age 50, reportedly on doctor’s advice to slow his intense work pace and enjoy more outdoor activity. He quickly became passionate about the sport, joined Verulam Golf Club in St Albans (where he was elected captain three times), and hired a professional instructor to improve his game.
Concerned about the limited earning opportunities for professional golfers at the time, Ryder began sponsoring tournaments and events at his home club. In 1926, he supported an informal match at Wentworth between British and American professionals, which inspired him to create a regular transatlantic competition.
In 1927, he donated a gold trophy costing £250 (£13000 in today’s money) for the first official Ryder Cup match, held at Worcester Country Club in Massachusetts. The competition was originally between teams of professional golfers from Great Britain and the United States (later expanded to include all of Europe).
Samuel Ryder attended several early Ryder Cups and remained a keen supporter of professional golf until his death on January 2, 1936, at age 77.
His legacy endures through the Ryder Cup, which continues as one of golf’s most celebrated and passionate events.