1931 Ryder Cup

The Ryder Cup is a match play event, with each match worth one point. From 1927 through 1959, the format consisted of 4 foursome (alternate shot) matches on the first day and 8 singles matches on the second day, for a total of 12 points. Therefore, 6½ points were required to win the Cup. All matches were played to a maximum of 36 holes.

Source:[1]

Prior to the match, there was some controversy about the qualification rules for the Great Britain team. In 1927 and 1929 the American PGA had decided to only select American born and resident players but the original Ryder Cup Deed of Trust made no such provision. All members of the Professional Golfers' Association were eligible. In late 1929 the Deed of Trust was revised requiring players to be born in and resident in their respective countries.[2] This rule disqualified Percy Alliss and Aubrey Boomer, two of Great Britain's best players, as they had both taken jobs as club professionals in mainland Europe.

Team USA
Name	Age	Previous Ryder Cups	Matches	W–L–H	Winning percentage
Walter Hagen – captain	38	2	4	3–1–0	75.00
Billy Burke	28	0	Rookie
Wiffy Cox	34	0	Rookie
Leo Diegel	32	2	4	3–1–0	75.00
Al Espinosa	40	2	2	1–0–1	75.00
Johnny Farrell	30	2	4	2–1–1	62.50
Gene Sarazen	29	2	4	1–2–1	37.50
Denny Shute	26	0	Rookie
Horton Smith	23	1	1	1–0–0	100.00
Craig Wood	29	0	Rookie

In early 1931, it was announced that a selection committee of five would choose the Great Britain team for the 1931 Ryder Cup. This committee consisted of George Oke, Charles Whitcombe, Charles Corlett, Dick Wheildon and Albert Haskins. Charles Whitcombe was announced as the captain.[3] An initial squad of 24 was announced.[4]

Henry Cotton objected to a team rule requiring all players to travel out together and return together.[5] Cotton wished to remain in the United States after the match.[6] As a consequence Cotton was withdrawn from the squad.

Four trial matches were played in which the new American sized ball was used, and in early May a further six players were selected: Compston, Davies, Jolly, Mitchell, Robson and Ernest Whitcombe.[7] Duncan and Easterbrook were later added.[8] During the final day of The Open Championship, Cotton was again asked whether he would play under the original conditions but again declined[9] and the following day Hodson was announced as the final selection. In a further statement the same day it was announced that Herbert Jolly had withdrawn because of a lack of form and had been replaced by Havers.[10] Jolly had scored 84 and 78 in the Open Championship qualifying the previous week.

The British team sailed on June 10 following a farewell dinner the previous evening.[11]

Team Great Britain
Name	Age	Previous Ryder Cups	Matches	W–L–H	Winning percentage
Charles Whitcombe – captain	35	2	4	2–0–2	75.00
Archie Compston	38	2	4	1–2–1	37.50
Bill Davies	39	0	Rookie
George Duncan	47	2	4	2–2–0	50.00
Syd Easterbrook	26	0	Rookie
Arthur Havers	33	1	2	0–2–0	0.00
Bert Hodson	25	0	Rookie
Abe Mitchell	44	1	2	1–1–0	50.00
Fred Robson	46	2	4	1–3–0	25.00
Ernest Whitcombe	40	1	2	0–1–1	25.00

Each entry refers to the Win–Loss–Half record of the player.

Source:[1]

• "Ryder Cup 2006 » History » 1931 Results". The PGA of America, Ryder Cup Limited, and Turner Sports Interactive. Archived from the original on October 22, 2006. Retrieved March 15, 2007.
• "Ryder Cup history: 1931". BBC Sport. Retrieved March 15, 2007.
• Farrell, Andy. "Ryder Cup Rows - it was ever thus". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved March 24, 2007.
• PGA of America: 1931 Ryder Cup
• About.com 1931 Ryder Cup
• Scioto Country Club description of the event