5 quick questions with Nick Beardall on the Ryder Cup experience
A bucket list event
Nick, together with Tom Allison and Andrew Millard, founded Blend Group in 2017, united by their shared passion for sport. Sport is not only central to the services Blend Group offer, but also a personal interest of our team members.
Our Managing Director’s trip to Bethpage Black is a direct example of this personal passion. Nick’s plane had barely touched down in London when we asked him for a behind-the-curtains insight on the biggest event in golf.
To help fight off the jet lag, we asked him 5 questions to help readers understand just how incredible this event, and live golf in general, is to experience in the flesh.
@blendgroup A view down the 18th hole at Bethpage Black during the 2026 Ryder Cup. The competition was fiercely contested and we wanted to get an insight from our Managing Director, Nick, was there to experience this monumental event in the flesh. #rydercup #bethpageblack #golf #golftok ♬ Freed from Desire (Edit Mix) – prod. Molella, Phil Jay – Gala & Molella & Phil Jay
Q: What makes the Ryder Cup so special?
For me, one of the main reasons why the Ryder Cup is so special is because of the Matchplay format and the drama that comes with it.
Every other week of the golfing calendar is players playing against the course. Whereas in Matchplay, you are directly playing against your opponent. This brings a different mentality and passion to the players which is clearly visible on TV and also on the course.
On Sunday, it looked virtually impossible for Team USA to comeback from the deficit, but they almost completed it and that’s what the Matchplay format can do in terms of momentum.
Another reason why it is such a special event is because of the switch every two years between USA & Europe.
This creates different storylines and excitement for each tournament. It also gives you two years to get excited for the next one! I am already planning my trip to Ireland’s Adare Manor for 2027!
Q: As someone who loves golf, what did it mean to you to attend?
As a lifelong golf fan, it’s always been on my bucket list to attend the Ryder Cup, and to see Europe win in New York was incredible. Winning an away Ryder Cup is one of the hardest things to do in golf, making this experience even more nervy, but rewarding!
Saturday afternoon will go down as one of the best live sporting experiences I’ve ever had. It’s also a completely different golfing experiencing attending the Ryder Cup vs a Major like the Masters, or the US Open. The team element to the competition adds an extra layer of intensity to the event.
The atmosphere is completely different with more passion, more fans and more fun! Whereas attending The Masters, which is equally as amazing, is a completely difference golfing experience. Having been fortunate enough to attend the Masters and, now, the Ryder Cup, I would 100% recommend both!
Q: Was there anything fans watching on TV wouldn’t have noticed unless they were there?
The atmosphere! I’m sure it sounded great on TV, but being there is a completely different and elevated experience. It really gives you an even bigger sense of enjoyment when you are there, as you hear and see so many more nuanced details.
Q: What Ryder Cup merch did you bring back with you?
Not enough! The merch tent was probably the biggest I’ve been too at a sporting event, and I could have spent a lot more!
I ended up coming back with a golf hoodie, a top for my son, a hat and of course a Ryder Cup mug for the office to go alongside my Masters mug.
Q: What would you say to anyone thinking about attending the Ryder Cup in 2027?
Just do it! I think 2027 is going to be incredible and has the potential to be the best Ryder Cup ever.
Both teams I think will be very similar again in terms of personnel, so USA will 100% be out for revenge and they showed the fight they needed on Sunday to almost comeback, which I think will motivate them for 2027 even more.
Combine this with it being in Ireland which has a very passionate fanbase for golf, I think it is set up to be brilliant edition. It will also be 100 years of the Ryder Cup in 2027, which will only add to the storyline and drama!
Experiencing live golf
As you can tell from Nick’s answers, experiencing golf in person is a whole different ball game. Whilst the Ryder Cup was the focus of this article, the four major golf championships are spectacles for any golf fan. The Masters, PGA Championship, US Open and The Open are flagship events in the season.
For more information on these events, you can visit our Major Golf Championships page.
