The Ryder Cup, as we know it, might never have got off the ground had it not been for the inspiration and great generosity of wealthy English businessman, Samuel Ryder.

Ryder was 69 and a relatively late-in-life convert to the game from his initial, sporting love, cricket, when the First Ryder Cup was inaugurated in 1927.

A shrewd and hard-headed businessman who had made his fortune selling flower seeds to the working classes of north-west England at a penny a packet - "Everything at a penny, from Orchids to mustard and cress", was the slogan that made him famous - Ryder was also a liberal philanthropist with deep religious convictions who was endlessly active, not only in his business, but also in religious and civic affairs.

His enormous expenditure of energy eventually took its toll, however, and not long after he had served as mayor of his adopted town of St Albans, his health started failing.

On the advise of his doctor, he turned to golf for the exercise and fresh air it would give him and had soon become a passionate addict of the game.

No cost was spared in his drive for perfection.

He hired Abe Mitchell, the early 20th century's 'best golfer never to have won the Open', as his personal pro coach at the then huge salary of £1,000 per annum - and his efforts were not in vain.

Within the year, Ryder, though now in his mid-fifties, was playing off a six handicap - and better still, was the picture of health.

Enormously grateful to the sport and to Mitchell, Ryder became a benefactor of professional golf and in 1926, after attending an unofficial 'friendly' between groups of British and American players who were at Wentworth preparing for the Open Championship, he hosted a champagne after-party to celebrate Britain's overwhelming victory.

During the party the always enthusiastic Ryder raised the question of making this informal match between the champions of the old and new continents a regular event and with the support of the legendary Walter Hagen, the American captain on the day, his British equivalent, George Duncan, and Ryder's friend and coach Abe Mitchell, the idea of a regular Ryder Cup competition was born.

Ryder agreed to help finance the event and presented a magnificent, solid gold trophy crafted by master goldsmiths Mappin and Webb at the then staggering sum of £250.

Now priceless, the trophy, which weighs nearly four pounds and stands 1.5ft high, is topped, not unexpectedly, by the miniature figure of Mitchell addressing the ball.