Why would hosting the Ryder Cup be great for Bolton?

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham supports Bolton's bid to host the 2035 Ryder Cup [Peel L&P] Ryder Cup venues can attract 250,000 fans through their gates, while millions more around the world tune in to watch the pinnacle of team golf. There are hopes the biennial event may return to the north-west of England for the first time since Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club hosted the final edition of the competition between the United States and the combined Great Britain and Ireland team. From 1979, and after decades of domination, the Americans have faced the best players from around Europe every two years.

The Ryder Cup is staged alternately between the two continents, meaning Europe only hosts it once every four years. And the competition to become a Ryder Cup venue is as intense off the course as it is on the fairways and greens. You have to dream big.

And that is exactly what those behind the proposed Hulton Park resort in Bolton are doing - they want to stage the 2035 Ryder Cup. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham this week announced a funding package, with a focus on infrastructure around a new golf course, to support the bid. This includes a new £70m M61-M6 link road.

But how much of a big deal would it be for Bolton and the wider north-west of England? 'It's phenomenal' "It's one of the top three sporting events in the world - probably only behind the Super Bowl and the World Cup," said Sean Owen, professional at the Bolton Old Links Golf Club, who runs the club shop and provides lessons. "We would see a huge increase in our green fee revenues; we would get the benefit of people on holiday who have more disposable income and who would buy merchandise locally.