Ryder Cup warning over fraudulent ticketing

Ryder Cup organisers have issued a warning to all potential spectators of this year's event at Celtic Manor to be aware of fraudulent agents offering pirate tickets.

The event will be held from October 1-3, with Photo ID tickets making a Ryder Cup debut.

European Ryder Cup director, Richard Hills said: "We need to make it clear to anyone intending to be at The 2010 Ryder Cup that they are strongly advised to purchase tickets through the official channel.

"Failure to comply with this warning could lead to fans being seriously overcharged for tickets - which are simply not valid - and unnecessary disappointment as those unwitting fans are turned away."

Hills added: "We are receiving an increasing number of enquiries from members of the public who have paid for Ryder Cup tickets and hospitality through unofficial sources. In all cases the sums involved have been far in excess of the face value of the tickets."

In 2006, officials told many parties they had purchased forged tickets. Ryder Cup Europe has now been made aware of pirate hospitality agencies again in 2010.

Hills explained: "There are imposters out there prepared to try and cheat not only individual purchasers but also companies. We urge everyone to check and double check before parting with their money as there appears to be an increasing number of operators seeking to sell hospitality packages through unauthorised and invalid channels."

The final ticket ballot has closed, however interested spectators should visit rydercup.com/tickets for more information, or rydercuphospitality.com to discover available corporate packages.

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