Luxury English hotel the Luton Hoo in Bedfordshire has submitted bold plans to host the Ryder Cup in either 2031 or 2035. The hotel already houses an 18-hole course, but is looking to upgrade the setup and the mansion house on site.
The plans have been submitted by the hotel's owners, the Arora Group. The plans have been backed by members of Central Bedfordshire Council, with a succesful bid to have hugely positive implications for the area's tourism.
Kevin Collins of Central Bedfordshire Council said: "If we hold the tournament that will bring tourism. Hotel rooms will be booked throughout Luton, Watford, St Albans and restaurants will be taking bookings and people will be coming to this area.
"We want more people to be aware of Luton Hoo, we want it to be a destination - and that will mean jobs and a boost for tourism." Council leader Richard Wenham added: “Securing the Ryder Cup would be an enormous boost to our thriving economy, bringing many new tourists and supporting more new jobs.”
After looking over the proposed plans council member Collins is more than confident that the hotel could well have a successful bid. Backing the idea, he said: "It's one of those things that when someone first mentions it to you, you think 'oh crikey, that's a bit pie in the sky', but these guys know what they're doing.
"This isn't the first luxury hotel in their group and we've spoken to the Professional Golfers' Association who obviously need to be fairly guarded in their opinions... but they like the venue and like the possibility."
There is however plenty of competition to the Hoo Hotel's bid. Hulton Park Estate in Bolton have also expressed their interest in hosting the Europe vs USA clash, with plans put forward to renovate the area into a championship golf course.
It is London Golf Club who are currently favourites to host the 2031 event, however the Bedfordshire and Bolton bids are set to be fierce competition. England has not played host to the event since 2002, when Europe defeated their American rivals at the The Belfry's Brabazon course.
