Ryder Cup 2023

As a key player in the events industry, GL events UK has a track record of delivering bespoke infrastructure solutions for large-scale events, building strong relationship with our clients, including European Tour. In 2023 the team was entrusted to supply temporary structures at the Marco Simone course in Rome for the world-famous Ryder Cup golf tournament, providing structures for the event for the fourth time. 

Following the successful completion of an inaugural triple-deck structure in France at the 42nd event, GL events UK sought to introduce something new in 2023 and so our new multi-deck QWAD structure was showcased for the first time in Europe.

The new QWAD structure boasts some key differences when compared to the Absolute, and our more traditional range of events structures. 

Firstly, QWAD can be manufactured locally, rather than transported long distances to site, helping to reduce the carbon footprint of the structure. 

As a modular system, QWAD is built on the ground and then craned into place which reduces the health and safety risk posed by teams working at height. 

Finally, it also benefits from a new heavy deck floor system (instead of traditional cassette flooring). The steel rectangles of flooring, inlaid with timber decks are bolted together for a more rigid product and provides a far sturdier experience for spectators in the structure.

The project didn’t come without its challenges, notably extreme heat during the installation phase in Italy, where temperatures soared to 45 degrees Celsius. It was essential that the installation teams had regular welfare breaks to top up on suncream and water and adjusted working hours were implemented to avoid working during the hottest part of the day. This meant we were able to adhere to the stringent deadlines for the build, while taking care of our crew. 

Additional challenges were presented due to the event being held on a live golf course - the course was active until halfway through the build. Whilst this was difficult, it is something the GL events UK team are used to dealing with and were able to adeptly manage the situation.

Delivery of this event included the provision of the main hospitality structures, as well as the Village, Media and On Course Structures. The total footprint of infrastructure provided was 26,035 sqm, with 15,600 sqm of this dedicated to double and triple deck structures. 

The versatility of QWAD at Ryder Cup has not been lost on the European Tour, as Paul Dunstan, the Ryder Cup’s Operations Director explains:

“QWAD is an impressive structure. It’s a borderline semi-permanent structure. You can’t call it a tent; it just feels different. It’s the first time GL has built it to this scale. It’s enormous and I think there’s a lot they can do with it. They’ve learned a lot about this structure having built it on this scale and for future events, they have said there is so much more they can do with it. They can potentially do four floors, and awnings off the front of it. You’ll see a golf course doesn’t have much floor space. They’re always very tight but we can always go up so four floors would be incredible.”