An annuloplasty ring and holder assembly combination, comprising: an annuloplasty ring configured for placement adjacent a heart valve; and a ring holder secured to the annuloplasty ring, the holder comprising: a generally T-shaped lower template having a cross bar portion and a support post portion; a base structure forming the cross bar portion of the generally T-shaped base structure, the base structure engaging against a first portion of the annuloplasty ring; a first radial arm forming the support post portion of the generally T-shaped lower template, the first radial arm extending from the base structure to a second portion of the annuloplasty ring, the first radial arm comprising a radial arm engagement surface configured to engage against the second portion of the annuloplasty ring, wherein the first portion of the annuloplasty ring is an anterior portion of the annuloplasty ring, the anterior portion having a length along a portion of a circumference of the annuloplasty ring, and wherein the base structure extends substantially the entire length of the anterior portion of the annuloplasty ring, and wherein the second portion of the annuloplasty ring is a posterior portion of the annuloplasty ring, the posterior portion has a center section, and the radial arm engages against the center section of the posterior portion. an annuloplasty ring configured for placement adjacent a heart valve; and a ring holder secured to the annuloplasty ring, the holder comprising: a generally T-shaped lower template having a cross bar portion and a support post portion; a base structure forming the cross bar portion of the generally T-shaped base structure, the base structure engaging against a first portion of the annuloplasty ring; a first radial arm forming the support post portion of the generally T-shaped lower template, the first radial arm extending from the base structure to a second portion of the annuloplasty ring, the first radial arm comprising a radial arm engagement surface configured to engage against the second portion of the annuloplasty ring, wherein the first portion of the annuloplasty ring is an anterior portion of the annuloplasty ring, the anterior portion having a length along a portion of a circumference of the annuloplasty ring, and wherein the base structure extends substantially the entire length of the anterior portion of the annuloplasty ring, and wherein the second portion of the annuloplasty ring is a posterior portion of the annuloplasty ring, the posterior portion has a center section, and the radial arm engages against the center section of the posterior portion. a generally T-shaped lower template having a cross bar portion and a support post portion; a base structure forming the cross bar portion of the generally T-shaped base structure, the base structure engaging against a first portion of the annuloplasty ring; a first radial arm forming the support post portion of the generally T-shaped lower template, the first radial arm extending from the base structure to a second portion of the annuloplasty ring, the first radial arm comprising a radial arm engagement surface configured to engage against the second portion of the annuloplasty ring, wherein the first portion of the annuloplasty ring is an anterior portion of the annuloplasty ring, the anterior portion having a length along a portion of a circumference of the annuloplasty ring, and wherein the base structure extends substantially the entire length of the anterior portion of the annuloplasty ring, and wherein the second portion of the annuloplasty ring is a posterior portion of the annuloplasty ring, the posterior portion has a center section, and the radial arm engages against the center section of the posterior portion.