Words FERGUS BISSET
The Ryder Cup of 1969 is remembered for a single moment – Jack Nicklaus bending down to pick up Tony Jacklin’s marker to concede a putt for a half in their match and a half in the event overall. ‘The Concession’ has gone down in golfing lore as one of the great acts of sportsmanship. It’s remembered every time the biennial contest takes place. The act even has a golf club named after it – the Concession Club in Florida.
But to boil the 1969 Ryder Cup down to a single moment of munificence is to do the competition a great disservice. It’s an event deserving of far wider commemoration. It was a tremendous performance from the British and Irish side against a US team that was heavily favoured. The two teams had passionate and, at times, feisty captains in Eric Brown and Sam Snead, the two squads featured an intriguing blend of youth and experience and the matches were held at Royal Birkdale – one
