Expats play for Cup of their own

The Americas recaptured Beijing's version of the Ryder Cup against the Rest of the World at the Beijing Country Golf Club earlier this month.

The 20th instalment of the annual event was clinched by the Americas, 16-12, after two-ball, better-ball and alternate shot play on the first day and singles on the second. The victory also saw the Americas level the overall ledger at 10 Cups apiece.

The Americas charge was led by Brian Johnson, George Huang and Kevin Dewalt, who secured three points apiece for their team.

Dane Jens Purup and Singaporean Darry Ong also netted three points each for their side, which comprised seven Swedes, four Danes, two Singaporeans and a Scot while all 14 of the Americas players were from the United States this year.

Jens Olsen, captain of the Rest of the World and one of the Cup's leading performers over the past few years, said the event is played solely by amateurs; somewhat different to the real Ryder Cup, which tees off at Gleneagles, Scotland, this week with 24 of the world's top pros from Europe and the US.

"To our knowledge it is the longest running annual golf tournament in China for amateurs," Olsen said.

"The Beijing 'Ryder Cup' is administered by the Beijing Golfers Club, which has been running successfully for 20 years, and only its members are eligible to participate," he said.

"It (the club) has a multinational membership of more than 150 people from most every part of the world. The tournament is not for cash or prizes. The winners only have their name printed on a perpetual trophy and take away nothing from the tournament except bragging rights."

While the Beijing 'Ryder Cup' is literally and figuratively miles away from the star-studded real event, there is one similarity between the showdowns as they share a wine, the Mouton Cadet brand.

"It is especially significant to be sponsoring the Beijing Ryder Cup in its 20th anniversary year," said Anthony Gourmel, representative director, Asia of Baron Phillipe de Rothschild, Orient.

"As the 2014 Ryder Cup official wine, and with the Mouton Cadet Ryder Cup Selection wine specially created for the tournament, we're happy to be able to bring some Ryder Cup excitement from Gleneagles to the Beijing Ryder Cup to celebrate such a special occasion."