Ryder Cup boosts business as golf fans flood into pubs

European success in this year's Ryder Cup delivered a welcome boost in trade for licensees.

The golf tournament sparked an influx of customers, helped by the success the Europeans had over their American opponents.

Many of the licensees who were showing the game registered increased takings and they sustained the custom throughout the weekend of the contest.

Scotland's Colin Montgomerie sank the winning putt and in his hometown of Troon, Ayrshire, pubs were packed.

Manager Tennille Tyree, at the Loft in Troon, said: "He's a local lad so we were really pleased for him."

In Fulham, London, licensee Richard Marshall Duffield enjoyed increased trade in his pub, the Famous Three Kings, because his customer base was almost entirely represented in the matches.

"This event had many countries from the continent covered. We were rammed," he said.

Martin Goulding, licensee at the Original Oak in Leeds, agreed: "We were absolutely mobbed on the Sunday night, it definitely did us a favour. The atmosphere was brilliant - we had to get people down from dancing on the tables."

The crowds did not mean a profit for everyone though and one licensee was left looking more generous than intended after his Ryder Cup promotion.

Raymond Bell, licensee at the Red Lion in Enfield, London, offered a free round to all customers every time an Irish player scored a point but could not have foreseen that they would pick up an incredible total of nine over the three days.

"A lot of people came in on the Friday to watch the Irish lads score four and they certainly stayed for the weekend after that," said Mr Bell.

"But it wouldn't put me off doing it again, we had a fantastic atmosphere and our customers deserve it."