Ryder Cup decision is big blow to UK hotels

The postponement of this year's Ryder Cup golf tournament will hit hotels in the area hard.

The tournament was due to be held at the Belfry hotel and golf course, near Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands, from 28-30 September, but has been postponed until next year as a result of the atrocities in the USA.

John Boden, general manager at the 20-bedroom Moxhull Hall hotel in Sutton Coldfield, was wary of talking about the financial implications. "We don't want to be seen as profiteering," he said. "But we will lose business."

Boden said the postponement had left hotels in the area in a big mess. He added: "We've gone from being absolutely full to absolutely empty."

According to Boden, his hotel would have been full even without the Ryder Cup, as September is traditionally a busy time for weddings and conferences.

He said the hotels affected by the postponement would be working together to come up with an appropriate cancellation fee policy.

Paul Dermody, chief executive of the De Vere group, which was hosting the event at the Belfry, said the group supported the decision to postpone it.