Ryder Cup pins at The Belfry's Brabazon

For the next two weekends, the Belfry's Brabazon course will feature the same pin positions used on Sunday in Europe's 2002 Ryder Cup victory over the USA

The Belfry, a four-time Ryder Cup host, is giving golfers the chance to play the world-famous Brabazon course with the same final day pin positions used in Europe's dramatic Ryder Cup victory over the USA in 2002.

The special, Ryder-Cup inspired layout will be in operation at weekends until the conclusion of the 39th match, held at Chicago's Medinah Country Club from September 28-30.

For the first time, amateur golfers will be able to take on the pins that caused the Americans so much difficulty 10 years ago.

Some of the more memorable pin positions include back-right at 16 - where Phillip Price holed a monster putt to defeat Phil Mickelson 3&2 - and central-tier at 18, where Paul McGinley sealed victory by holing a nerve-jangling eight-footer.

"The special Brabazon set-up is as close to the Ryder Cup conditions as club golfers will ever experience - and at no extra charge," said Gary Silcock, the Belfry's Director of Golf.

"As well as the testing pin positions, the greens are now measuring at a very similar speed to the matches a decade ago, so it really will offer the ultimate Ryder Cup experience during the next two Saturdays and Sundays."

Europe won the 34th Ryder Cup by 15.5 points to 12.5 points, recording 7.5 points in the singles after entering Sunday all square with the Americans.

Europe also won the trophy in 1985 and retained it in 1989 before a star-studded American team, led by Tom Watson, won in 1993.

For more information on the Ryder Cup Brabazon Course, call the Belfry on 0300 500 0401 or go to wwwTheBelfry.com.

Nick Bonfield
Features Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x