by Jeff Skinner
Is it too early to talk Ryder Cup? Of course not, it’s never too early for the Ryder Cup. The U.S. won’t have the opportunity to win the cup back until September 2014 but it’s never too soon to start getting ready.
With the Ryder Cup being contended in Gleneagles, Scotland what’s the first task that needs to get done for the European Team? Why getting its own tartan of course.
The European Team announced the official team tartan to be used for the 2014 defense of the cup. Now for those unfamiliar with a tartan, it’s pretty important stuff in Scotland. A tartan is “a Scottish wool or worsted fabric woven in a wide range of checked or plaid patterns, many of which are associated with specific Scottish clans. The association between clans and tartan has no historical basis and arose in the 19th century.”
From the News Letter: The tartan was made by Lochcarron of Scotland and has four shades of blue, inspired by the Scottish landscape, white trim to represent the Scottish Saltire and gold thread to reflect the stars on the European flag, the manufacturer said.
It was created with the input of European team captain Paul McGinley and was unveiled by Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond and tournament director Richard Hills at the Lochcarron of Scotland mill in Selkirk, Borders, today.
The tartan will be made into kilts, scarves and ties for sale to fans and they are likely to be worn by players before the tournament.
Golf fan Mr Salmond, who said last week that he will not be attending this year’s Open Championship at Muirfield, East Lothian, because of the club’s men-only membership, was delighted to see the tartan.
He said: “Tartan’s importance to Scotland cannot be overestimated. It is deeply embedded in Scottish culture and is an internationally recognized symbol of Scotland, therefore this beautiful tartan is the perfect way for the Ryder Cup to celebrate its return to the home of golf.
Like I said it’s important stuff. Let the games begin!
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