Iona Stephen: “Golf’s most cherished tournaments aren’t about the money”

Iona Stephen says golf's most cherished tournaments aren't about the money

In the landscape of professional golf, where prize money and sponsorship deals often dominate the conversation, it’s easy to forget the essence and soul of the game we’ve all become so obsessed with, says TG Columnist Iona Stephen.

Every once in a while, a tournament takes place that reminds us of this essence. Notably, the events that resonate most deeply with players and fans aren’t those offering the biggest pay cheques, but rather those played purely for pride, honor, and tradition.

Competitions like the Ryder Cup, Walker Cup, and more recently, the Olympics strip the game down to its core and are a welcome addition to the golf calendar.

I was fortunate enough to be at the Ryder Cup in Marco Simone last year and it was a week incomparable to any other. It’s an experience, an emotional roller coaster, a battle – not for money, but for the pride of your team and country. It’s a competition where the world’s best golfers, who are accustomed to playing for themselves week in, week out, suddenly find themselves playing for something much larger: a team, a continent, a legacy… and it comes as somewhat of a relief to see just how much it means to them. Nothing could have prepared me for the atmosphere and experience of Rome.

The intensity of the Ryder Cup is palpable, and it’s something every golf fan must experience at least once in their lifetime. The Solheim Cup, held last month in the USA, is not yet on the same scale, but the event at Gleneagles in 2019 was one of the best sporting weeks I have ever experienced, let alone in golf. I was standing just meters away when Suzann Pettersen holed that winning putt for Europe, and what a magnificent scene it was. Fans and fellow players streamed onto the green to congratulate her with tears in their eyes.

In both these events, the absence of prize money shifts the focus from personal gain to collective victory and arguably, this is the reason it amplifies their experience. It’s about the honor of being selected, the camaraderie with your teammates, and the chance to etch your name into the history books for something truly meaningful.

The return of golf to the Olympics in 2016, after more than a century, was a significant moment for the sport. Unlike the usual tour events, Olympic golf isn’t about the prize purse either. It is, however, another chance to represent one’s country on the world’s biggest stage – but this time as an individual, albeit playing for their national team.

It’s also an opportunity to represent golf within the larger sporting ecosystem. For many players, the chance to compete for a gold medal, to stand on the podium with their national anthem playing, carries a weight that no amount of money could match. Watching Scottie Scheffler and Lydia Ko overcome with emotion as they stood on the top step of the podium in Paris, was a moment that seemed to stop every golf fan in their tracks.

Some have floated the idea of a mixed format in the Olympics, where one man and one woman come together to form a team to represent their country, perhaps in addition to the individual competition. I like this idea a lot and do think it would make for a great event that further solidifies the true emotive power of this game. Perhaps in Los Angeles in 2028, they will take that idea and run with it. Changing golf’s Olympic format could forge stronger partnerships between the men’s and women’s games. It would be an incredible watch and we could see something very special in golf.

Closer to the grassroots of the game, the Walker Cup and Curtis Cup further celebrate golf in its purest form. Here, the game’s values of sportsmanship, integrity, and respect are on full display, with no cash in sight. It’s where the rising stars of the game learn their craft.

I covered the Walker Cup in 2019 at Hoylake, where I saw the likes of Alex Fitzpatrick, Harry Hall, and Akshay Bhatia before they made the leap and became winners in the pro ranks. For the young amateurs who compete, the Walker Cup is a rite of passage, a moment when their love for the game transcends the pursuit of professional accolades. The absence of monetary rewards ensures that the focus remains on the spirit of competition and the deep-seated honor of representing one’s country. Both the Walker Cup and Curtis Cup share the values of both the Ryder and Solheim cups.

For fans, these tournaments provide a glimpse into the true spirit of golf. They offer moments of raw emotion, incredible sportsmanship, and unparalleled drama. When the pressure isn’t about money, but about pride and honor, the stakes feel even higher. These tournaments showcase everything that makes golf great – a reminder that it’s the love of the game and the bonds we form through it that truly matter.

About the author

Iona Stephen – Broadcaster and Today’s Golfer contributor

A former professional golfer, who has played on the Ladies European Tour, Iona is a highly respected golf broadcaster.

She joined Today’s Golfer as a regular contributor in 2023 and offers insight into the professional game from her life working on the world’s biggest tours.

The Scotswoman is as comfortable covering the game from the commentary booth as she is broadcasting in front of the camera and from the course, where she is regularly seen interviewing the world’s best players during their rounds.

Alongside her television work, Stephen also has her own YouTube channel – On The Road With Iona.

Follow Iona on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, and find out more at ionastephen.com