Mirroring the joy of the victorious Team Europe, Ryder Cup organisers were delighted their visions for hosting the 40th Ryder Cup were widely applauded, with Arena Group expertise central to the transformation of Gleneagles Golf Course with temporary event structures, grandstand seating and furniture, Sept 24-28, 2014.
The 2014 Ryder Cup extended its credentials as a global sporting event, with over 500 million TV viewers, giving exceptional event experiences to fans on course and on screen. Over 200,000 people attended the historic course to be part of the melting pot of golfing skills and emotions, as 24 of the world’s leading players battled each other and the course. Closing moments saw spectators packed into the 18th grandstand along with sponsors in the Aviemore Pavilion creating an ebullient party atmosphere as European captain Paul McGinley lifted the coveted trophy.
Arena Group is proud of its long association with the Ryder Cup organisers, spanning two decades of European tournaments, and understands that meticulous planning and strong project management is the key to delivering a successful, world class event.
Ryder Cup match director Edward Kitson comments:
“Arena listened, understood, then made positive contributions as we planned and designed infrastructure for The 2014 Ryder Cup. They delivered exceptionally well and the quality of product, from premium hospitality, public and media facilities combined with the best grandstand seating we have ever seen, ensured another best in class performance.”
The main grandstands were the 1,844 capacity grandstand in a horseshoe configuration around the first tee and the 2,100 capacity looking steeply down onto the 18th green. All of the stands were busy throughout the tournament, including the 1,053 capacity 13th, 714 seats overlooking the 11th and the 648 seats curved around the 16th green.
A range of structures and interiors provided elevated views onto the key areas of the course for hospitality guests; over 1,000 media told their stories to the world from Arena’s 30m x 50m TFS facility, whilst the players, officials, police and caterers were all accommodated within a range of custom designed structures.
Spaceworks provided all of the furniture on site, with over 15,000 pieces ranging from the new pressed steel contemporary Tolix range and stools with cocktail tables through to dining tables garden furniture in public areas, all facilities on site, the park and ride sites and the opening and closing ceremonies.
To achieve the organisers and designers’ aspirations the company invested £200,000 in specially sourced new contemporary collections. Well Dressed Tables also supplied all the cutlery, crockery and glassware to Jamie Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts which catered across the court, with managing director Chris Piggott ensuring the complex logistical deployment was a success.
