The 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor, near Newport, South Wales, saw torrential rain take the golf event into a fourth day for players and spectators alike.
With over 200,000 visitors attending the early October event, crowds facing driving rain and crowds sought shelter – such as at the event’s retail points. For the first time the security surrounding the official merchandise operation was handed to the Cardinal Group, the retail security contractor. Douglas Hyden Events Manager for Cardinal, said: “When 200,000 people who came to watch the tournament can no longer stand in the rain, they disperse to try and find shelter and alternative entertainment. We were therefore deployed as much over the week to provide crowd control as well as potential stock loss as spectators literally flooded in their thousands to buy souvenirs at the merchandise tents. However, it all went off well despite the weather as we had 12 staff on location as well as CCTV operators. I would imagine the sales from the merchandise tent were very high because of the weather and our presence will have definitely impacted in terms of a lower shrinkage rate.”
The security contractor provided 24-hour mobile patrols, CCTV monitoring and discreet and overt ‘greeter’ guarding at the event’s merchandise points. Paul McCann of hospitality agent IMG said: “We have used Cardinal at The Open for many years so it was logical to repeat the success at this The Ryder Cup. The crowds were incredible but the rain proved very challenging at times in terms of safety and foot-fall through the Merchandise Pavilion, but it all went very well. We were very pleased with Cardinal’s professional performance once again.” Earlier in 2010 Cardinal looked after the security in The Official Open Championship Merchandise Pavilion at St Andrews as well as two smaller satellite merchandise tents where footfall ran into the hundreds of thousands over the week. The discreetly suited Cardinal staff were on hand to watch the crowds and merchandise – from golf balls to knitwear.
Trevor Turner, Director of Commercial Business at The Cardinal Group, said: “It is the nature of the event that brings large crowds and with most of the merchandise being openly displayed we had to be both visible and invisible. Our teams are trained to deal with all security and merchandise protection issues which is why we love being part of The Open and The Ryder Cup, both fantastic and prestigious sporting events.”
