Posted on October 10, 2022 in News.
Ryder Cup: Captains meet the Pope at the Vatican
Ryder Cup Captains Luke Donald and Zach Johnson closed the celebrations of the Year at the Vatican by meeting the Pope. The two captains had a private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican, capping off three days of events in the Eternal City to mark 12 months until Italy host their first Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club from September 26 to October 1, 2023.
©Vatican Media
European Captain Donald and American Captain Johnson presented the Pontiff with a commemorative Ryder Cup bearing the inscription: “Presented to His Holiness the Pope by Ryder Cup Captains Luke Donald and Zach Johnson. »
The captains were accompanied by their respective wives, Diane and Kim, and officials from Ryder Cup Europe, the PGA of America and the Federazione Italiana Golf for this unique experience.
Luke Donald said: “As captain I am blessed to be able to do a lot of special things, but having a private audience with Pope Francis was definitely a memory that Diane and I will always cherish. »
Zach Johnson said: “It was a very memorable experience and the honor was not lost on us. Clearly today was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Pope Francis has been more than gracious, warm and welcoming. Kim and I will never forget our morning at the Vatican. »
The captains' visit to the Vatican on Wednesday followed a busy schedule of activities to celebrate the Year of Departure this week.
©Vatican Media
On Tuesday, Donald and Johnson took the sporting event to one of Rome's most iconic sites, the Colosseum, playing chipping shots from a purpose-built platform to a Ryder Cup green located in the Tempio di Venere e Roma (Temple of Venus and Rome). The pair also held their first joint press conference on Tuesday afternoon and spent time with Italian and international media, as excitement grew over Italy becoming the third country in continental Europe. to host a Ryder Cup.
Celebrations of the year ahead began on Monday when Donald and Johnson were joined by 12 members of the Federazione Italiana Golf (FIG) elite national under-18 team - six boys and six girls aged 15 to 18 – and four members of the elite disabled team for a four-hole match of the Captains Challenge on the first, 16th, 17th and 18th holes of Marco Simone.
About 300 local schoolchildren attended the event, which ended in a draw, with the two teams sharing the trophy.
On Monday evening, the two captains joined the 200 guests of the official gala dinner which took place in the spectacular Palazzo Colonna.
Marco Simone will host the 2023 Ryder Cup from September 26 to October 1, 2023, when Europe will try to reclaim the cup after losing at Whistling Straits last year.
Fans can apply for tickets to be at Marco Simone for the Ryder Cup via the Ryder Cup ballot which closes October 16. Visit www.rydercup.com for more information and to participate in the vote.
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