Ryder Cup 2018: Le Golf National Awarded Ryder Cup Despite Pleas from Madrid

The 2018 Ryder Cup is set to take place in France following months of negotiations, pitches and governments sucking up to the PGA Tour and European Tour officials.

The event will take place at Le Golf National course, which is located just outside of Paris, France.

The French government has pressed hard for a long time to get this event and, despite some concern that it would slip through the cracks, they were able to wine and dine the decision makers to get the event.

Europe has dominated this competition for the last decade, winning four of the previous five Ryder Cups that have been held since 2002.

Madrid, Spain was hoping to get the tournament following the untimely death of Seve Ballesteros. There was some thought that would be enough to push them over the top, but it was not meant to be.

France will now focus its attention to developing players who are good enough to be on the Ryder Cup team by the time the event comes around.

There hasn't been French player on the European team since Jean Van de Velde at the memorable 1999 event.

Should Spain Have Been Awarded the 2018 Ryder Cup?

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL - MAY 11: The flag of Spain flies at half-mast to commemorate the passing of golfer Seve Ballesteros as seen during a practice round prior to the start of THE PLAYERS Championship held at THE PLAYERS Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass o

Spain had the ultimate trump card in these Ryder Cup negotiations. The death of Seve Ballesteros created a lot of momentum for the country to get the event.

There were cries from Madrid to get the event to Spain as a final tribute to the memory of Ballesteros.

Here's what Seve's brother, Baldomero told The UK Telegraph:

"

“I wish that, like El Cid, Seve wins the last battle after his death. It would be the greatest tribute to him.

“I appeal to the sensitivity of the Ryder Cup Committee of the European Tour to agree the greatest honour that could be bestowed on Seve is to award the competition to Spain. I appeal on behalf of the family.

“It would have made my brother very happy for it was one of his dreams."

"

If the event were being held next year, then I could see the merits of giving the event to Madrid. Ballesteros's death would be fresh in people's minds and you would have a built in story to tell.

Other countries lined up for this bid were Germany, Portugal and Holland.

When push came to shove France made the best presentation, and that is what won them the bid.

Is France The Best Choice For The 2018 Ryder Cup?

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Richard Hills The Director of Ryder Cup Europe with Pascal Grizot the Chairman of the French Ryder Cup Bid after the press conference for the official announcement of the host venue for the 2018 Ryder Cup Golf National in Paris at teh wentworth Club on Ma

Spain's pleading aside, France put together a terrific package that enticed the Ryder Cup committee in order to ensure that they would get the bid.

According to CNN.com, France is going to build 100 urban courses in the country and pledged to increase the number of registered players by 300,000 to 700,000 by 2022.

In addition to that, the registered golfers in the country donated one euro to get the Ryder Cup to France.

Everyone really pitched in on the France team to make sure that they got the event, and it shows the passion that everyone had for this cause.

Spain with Seve Ballesteros would have been a nice story, but France took the necessary steps to get the event.

Le Golf National course is a beautiful place for golf and it will make a welcome addition to the storied legacy of the Ryder Cup.