The 3rd Ryder Cup Matches were held June 26–27, 1931 at Scioto Country Club in Columbus, Ohio. The United States team won the competition by a score of 9 to 3 points.

The course was the venue for U.S. Open in 1926, won by amateur Bobby Jones, the second of his four titles. It later hosted the PGA Championship in 1950. Scioto is also noteworthy as the club where Jack Nicklaus learned to play as a youth in the 1950s.

Format 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, 6 points were required to win the Cup. All matches were played to a maximum of 36 holes.

Teams Source:

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. 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 USANameAgePreviousRyder CupsMatchesW–L–HWinningpercentageWalter Hagen – captain 38 2 4 3–1–0 75.00Billy Burke 28 0 RookieWiffy Cox 34 0 RookieLeo Diegel 32 2 4 3–1–0 75.00Al Espinosa 40 2 2 1–0–1 75.00Johnny Farrell 30 2 4 2–1–1 62.50Gene Sarazen 29 2 4 1–2–1 37.50Denny Shute 26 0 RookieHorton Smith 23 1 1 1–0–0 100.00Craig 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."The Ryder Cup". The Times, Tuesday, January 13, 1931; pg. 7; Issue 45719; col D. An initial squad of 24 was announced."The Ryder Cup". The Times, Wednesday, January 21, 1931; pg. 6; Issue 45726; col B.

Henry Cotton objected to a team rule requiring all players to travel out together and return together."The Ryder Cup Team". The Times, Tuesday, February 10, 1931; pg. 6; Issue 45743; col E. Cotton wished to remain in the United States after the match."Cotton and The Ryder Cup Team". The Times, Tuesday, February 17, 1931; pg. 6; Issue 45749; col F. 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."The Ryder Cup Team". The Times, Wednesday, May 6, 1931; pg. 6; Issue 45815; col E. Duncan and Easterbrook were later added."The Ryder Cup Team". The Times, The Times, Saturday, May 16, 1931; pg. 6; Issue 45824; col C. During the final day of The Open Championship, Cotton was again asked whether he would play under the original conditions but again declined"The Ryder Cup Team". The Times, The Times, Saturday, June 6, 1931; pg. 6; Issue 45842. 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."The Ryder Cup Team". The Times, The Times, Monday, June 8, 1931; pg. 7; Issue 45843. 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."Ryder Cup Team - The Duke of York at farewell dinner". The Times, The Times, Wednesday, June 10, 1931; pg. 14; Issue 45845.

 Team Great BritainNameAgePreviousRyder CupsMatchesW–L–HWinningpercentage 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

Friday's foursome matches Results Compston/Davies 8 & 7Sarazen/FarrellDuncan/Havers 10 & 9Hagen/ShuteMitchell/Robson 3 & 1Diegel/EspinosaEasterbrook/E. Whitcombe 3 & 2Burke/Cox 1 Session 3 1 Overall 3

Saturday's singles matches Results Archie Compston 7 & 6Billy BurkeFred Robson 7 & 6Gene SarazenBill Davies 4 & 3Johnny FarrellAbe Mitchell 3 & 1Wiffy CoxCharles Whitcombe 4 & 3Walter HagenBert Hodson 8 & 6Denny ShuteErnest Whitcombe 2 & 1Al EspinosaArthur Havers 4 & 3Craig Wood 2 Session 6 3 Overall 9

Individual player records Each entry refers to the win–loss–half record of the player.

Source:

United States Player Points Overall Singles FoursomesBilly Burke 2 2–0–0 1–0–0 1–0–0Wiffy Cox 2 2–0–0 1–0–0 1–0–0Leo Diegel 0 0–1–0 0–0–0 0–1–0Al Espinosa 1 1–1–0 1–0–0 0–1–0Johnny Farrell 1 1–1–0 0–1–0 1–0–0Walter Hagen 2 2–0–0 1–0–0 1–0–0Gene Sarazen 2 2–0–0 1–0–0 1–0–0Denny Shute 2 2–0–0 1–0–0 1–0–0Craig Wood 0 0–1–0 0–1–0 0–0–0

Horton Smith did not play in any matches.

Great Britain Player Points Overall Singles FoursomesArchie Compston 0 0–2–0 0–1–0 0–1–0Bill Davies 1 1–1–0 1–0–0 0–1–0George Duncan 0 0–1–0 0–0–0 0–1–0Syd Easterbrook 0 0–1–0 0–0–0 0–1–0Arthur Havers 1 1–1–0 1–0–0 0–1–0Bert Hodson 0 0–1–0 0–1–0 0–0–0Abe Mitchell 1 1–1–0 0–1–0 1–0–0Fred Robson 1 1–1–0 0–1–0 1–0–0Charles Whitcombe 0 0–1–0 0–1–0 0–0–0Ernest Whitcombe 0 0–2–0 0–1–0 0–1–0

References

External links

PGA of America: 1931 Ryder Cup About.com 1931 Ryder Cup Scioto Country Club description of the event