Cardinal Group helps drive security in the Merchandise Pavilion at The Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor.
Europe may have lifted The Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor, but it was the organisers of the golfing showcase that proved to be the true victors on and off the fairway as the torrential rain failed to dampen the spirits of the players and the spectators.
With over 200,000 visitors attending the event in Newport, South Wales the traditional long weekend sporting calendar event, slowly turned into a fourth day and the logistics of managing crowds and event security took centre stage with the driving range being replaced by driving rain and crowds having to seek shelter.
For the first time the security surrounding the official merchandise operation was handed to the Cardinal Group.
“When 200,000 people who came to watch the tournament can no longer stand in the rain, they disperse to try and find shelter and alternative entertainment. We were therefore deployed as much over the week to provide crowd control as well as potential stock loss as spectators literally flooded in their thousands to buy souvenirs at the merchandise tents, said Douglas Hyden, Events Manager, The Cardinal Group.
“However, it all went off well despite the weather as we had 12 staff on location as well as CCTV operators. I would imagine the sales from the merchandise tent were very high because of the weather and our presence will have definitely impacted in terms of a lower shrinkage rate.”
Cardinal which achieved one of the highest SIA approved Contractor scores to become one of the top 10 security companies in the UK, provided 24 hour trained mobile patrols, CCTV monitoring and discreet and overt ‘greeter’ guarding at the event’s merchandise points.
“We have used Cardinal at The Open for many years so it was logical to repeat the success at this The Ryder Cup. The crowds were incredible but the rain proved very challenging at times in terms of safety and foot-fall through the Merchandise Pavilion, but it all went very well. We were very pleased with Cardinal’s professional performance once again,” said Paul McCann of IMG.
Earlier in the year Cardinal looked after the security in The Official Open Championship Merchandise Pavilion at St Andrews as well as two smaller satellite merchandise tents where footfall ran into the hundreds of thousands throughout the week.
The discreetly suited Cardinal personnel were on hand to watch the crowds and merchandise – from golf balls to expensive knitwear.
“It is the nature of the event that brings large crowds and with most of the merchandise being openly displayed we had to be both visible and invisible,” said Trevor Turner, Director of Commercial Business at The Cardinal Group.
“Our teams are trained to deal with all security and merchandise protection issues which is why we love being part of The Open and The Ryder Cup, both fantastic and prestigious sporting events,” he added.