We are honoured and delighted that Ben Crenshaw has agreed to become the Foundation's US patron. Ben was born Austin Texas in 1952, attended and played golf at Austin High School and the University of Texas, turning professional in 1973. He was runner up in Major Championships on five occasions before he won The Masters in 1984 and again in 1995. He is regarded as one of the best putters of all time.

In 1999 Ben was the captain of the US Ryder Cup team. At the end of the second days play the US team were losing by  10 - 6  and facing a heavy defeat. He was possibly the only person on the planet who did not see defeat coming! On the Saturday evening an emotional Ben said “I am a great believer in fate and have a good feeling about this”. He inspired his team to the greatest comeback in Ryder Cup history, taking 8½  points from a possible 12 to reach the magic 14½ and a most unlikely victory.

Ben currently plays on The Champions Tour and is a partner in Coore and Crenshaw a company in golf course design. He is married to Julie,  they have three children and live in Austin.

Ben said: “I am most flattered that you would request my involvement with the  Samuel Ryder Foundation, not only in conjunction with the Ryder Cup itself, but  also due to his innumerable community involvements.

Obviously, this is a high honor for me to be asked to become a Patron  for the Samuel Ryder Foundation, and I want you to know that I do not  consider this matter lightly.

I wish you complete success in your fundraising activities and in your  efforts to honor such an outstanding citizen”.

The Foundation is proud and delighted to welcome Peter Alliss as a new patron, alongside Bernard Gallacher (former Ryder Cup captain). Peter is the BBC's face of golf and one of the most familiar names and voices in the sport. He is of course commentating the 2010 Ryder Cup as this news is announced.

Born in 1931 in Berlin, the son of Percy Alliss, one of the foremost British professionals between the wars, Peter followed in his father's footsteps, turning professional in 1946 at the age of 15. He played in his first Open a year later.

Peter won 20 titles between 1954 and 1969, including the Italian, Spanish and Portuguese Opens in the space of three weeks in 1958. His first appearance in the Ryder Cup was in 1953 and he represented Great Britain and Ireland in the event until 1969.

Following retirement from international golf he joined the BBC commentary team in 1961 and has become known to millions of viewers in the USA, Canada and Australia as well as the UK. He enjoyed a legendary commentating partnership with the late Henry Longhurst and also hosted the popular Pro-Celebrity Golf programmes and Around With Alliss.

Peter is an accomplished writer whose credits include the series of Bedside Golf books, Peter Alliss – An Autobiography, The Who's Who Of Golf, Peter Alliss' Golf Heroes and a novel published in 1983 - The Duke. His definitive autobiography, My Life, was published in October 2004. Among the golf courses Peter has designed and constructed in partnership with David Thomas is The Belfry at Sutton Coldfield, national headquarters of the PGA and a Ryder Cup venue.