SHEBOYGAN (NBC 26) — The 43rd annual Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits doesn't start until next week. But before tee-off, starting Friday, fans can get geared up for the week ahead.
The set-up is 60,000 square feet, the size of a football field, with tall ceilings, 60 cashiers, and is filled with over a dozen athleisure brands featuring the Ryder Cup logo, and Team USA red, white and blue. It's a big event, and that means it needs big accommodations. PGA America Senior Director of Licensing and Marketing said they wanted to create an experience outside of the golf itself.
"Really just see the faces of spectators and fans when they come in, as far as how they react to what we put together," said Michael Quirk.
Fans can grab a shirt, hat, sweatshirt, or any accessory imaginable. Even the exact uniform worn by Team USA next week. However, one special item will also be on display, but it is definitely not for sale.
"We're gonna have the Ryder Cup trophy here Friday and Saturday that you can get your photo taken with it, where that's not even something you can do next week," said Quirk. "So that's truly once in a really once in a lifetime experience for a lot of people."
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COVID-19 delayed the Ryder Cup last year, so to be back, Quirk said, feels great, as well as the challenge that they had to put together something special for spectators.
"The Ryder Cup alone is special, you know, in the United States every four years, so not to say we don't always take it to the next level, we feel this is really special," said Quirk. "So I think there's a lot of extra details in here around the Ryder Cup, that anybody that comes in will see that this is truly for us a challenge to make it the best experience possible."
Doors open on Friday at 9 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. The same schedule is true all weekend. The shop will also be open during the tournament next week.
