But a happening of this magnitude also creates a cottage industry, and there seems to be no end to people trying to hop on to what is perceived as a money-making monster. No doubt, sports is big business and the Ryder Cup probably ranks just below the Olympics and the World Cup on the global stage.
Golf is hot.
More important, golf is very hot with the corporate world, and before you rail against such reality, consider that we would not have sporting events of such proportions without big business, and that has always been true. Don't forget, this event was born thanks to the riches of a seed merchant named Samuel Ryder, and the competition was almost canceled in 1947, only to be saved by a wealthy fruit farmer in Oregon who donated money to get the British team to Portland. It has been well-documented that Brookline residents who choose to rent out their homes will command pretty good money. And that area golf courses are being taken over for huge sums of cash for various corporate entities and their pampered guests. But there is another element lurking, that of the outside hospitality group.