Richard Hills

Richard Hills

This interview was first published in Andalucia Magazine in 1996 in the run up to the Ryder Cup and is archived here for its historical value.

Richard Hills - Director of the Ryder Cup '97

Richard Hills

Richard Hills

Richard Hills is in charge of the organisation of the Ryder Cup and during a recent trip to Valderrama was interviewed by the Andalucía Magazine about his important role in the planning phase of this prestegious golf tournament.

Aside from being the director of the Ryder Cup, Richard Hills works as the Assistant Manager of the PGA European Tour; a well earned promotion after working in all areas and departments over the past twelve years. In 1989, Richard devoted himself to the Ryder Cup and, since then, has been engaged in the promotion of golf tournaments organised by the PGA. He is an expert on both the tour and the Ryder Cup and this year is taking up the directorship of the latter once again.

AC- We understand that the Ryder Cup is a venture between the British Professional Golfers Association and the PGA European Tour?

RH- The PGA and the European Tour are equally represented on the Ryder Cup committee. I work on the European Tour but, at the same time, am dedicated to the Ryder Cup. We have succeeded in building up a team of highly qualified people in all areas related to the tournament, ranging from Valderrama and the actual golf course grounds to the rules governing the matches and the conditions the teams will have to fulfil. In simple terms, we can say that the Ryder Cup will have twenty-eight basic golf rules but, at the same time, I always tell to people working with me that the most important thing is the actual game and we must concentrate above all on the players themselves.

AC- What is the relationship between Ryder Cup Limited as the organiser of this event and the Valderrama Golf Course as the host?

RH- We are working together in close collaboration. If I could describe what we are doing, I would say that we are actually setting up an open air five star hotel that will be in operation for exactly five days. This includes tents, infrastructure, electricity and water supply; essentially all the services necessary to run a tournament.

AC- We understad that about six hundred marshals will control the play and oversee the crowds. Are the Spanish and the Andalusian Golf Federation already working together with the various clubs within the organisation?

RH- Emma Villacieros, President of the Spanish Golf Federation and her team are working hand in hand with the Valderrama Club. The standards are truly international with the engagement of British, North American and especially Spanish clubs. For example, eighteen clubs, eleven of which are Spanish, are providing between twenty and thirty people to inspect every hole on the course.

AC- What is the role of the state authorities?

RH- We are in direct contact with the Andalusian authorities. The Andalusian government has set up an entrance area for the public which will be located in the region of hole four, together with a parking lot for cars and coaches.

AC- So, twenty-seven thousand spectators will come 'en masse' to see the first stroke everyday!

RH- Yes, but I have learned a lot since my first experience at the Ryder Cup in 1985. And one of the most important things to realise is that everyone will be there early in the morning to see the beginning of the match. In other words, all the people will come at the same time so we have to be prepared to attend to them. This is our main focus of attention at the moment.

Richard Hills has a difficult task ahead, but is evidently keeping calm. "It is just another tournament like all the others that take place in Europe. We have to plan it carefully and take the right steps, it is only a question of planning ahead.

Despite the burden of his responsibility, Richard Hills retains his sense of humour. To him, mobile phones are mere 'backswing chaos', and they are not allowed on the course. A rule which will remain in force throughout the Ryder Cup tournament.