Chip Beck: The Ultimate Ryder Cup Cruise Host

The Ryder Cup is one of those unique events in sports… Unless you’ve played in the matches or attended a Ryder Cup in person, you really can’t get a full appreciation of the passion, tension and strategy engulfing the entire experience.

Highly-respected PGA Tour and Champions Tour player Chip Beck has played in the Ryder Cup three times. His knowledge about Ryder Cup preparation, strategy, pairings and playing under pressure is amazing.

The affable and friendly Beck will host the Official Premier Viking 2018 Ryder Cup Cruise (September 25 to October 5, 2018) aboard the 443-foot long Viking Kadlin through northern France. The 10-day excursion package includes cruising on the River Seine, three nights accommodations in a top-notch Paris hotel, tickets and transportation to The 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National near Paris and visits to amazing sites like the D-Day Normandy beaches.

“Chip is such an engaging person and he’ll make everyone feel welcome and add tons of positive energy to the group,” says Bill Hogan, Premier’s international travel consultant. “Sometime you wonder how the Captains make pairings and their strategy for order of play.  I’ll bet Chip will offer some valuable insight to the different plans of attack.”

Beck was a Team USA Ryder Cup member in 1989, 1991 and 1993 and compiled a 6-2-1 record.

Known as “Mr. 59”, Beck’s playing resume is impressive as well. Chip has four PGA Tour victories, and has had twenty runner-up finishes. He won the Vardon Trophy in 1989 and spent 40 weeks in the top 10 of the World Golf Rankings from 1988 to 1989. He was also the second player to ever shoot ’59’ in a PGA Tour tournament. Prior to the 1991 Las Vegas Invitational, the Hilton family said anybody who could shoot a 59 would have a million dollars. Despite never having seen the course before, Chip had 5 pars and 13 birdies (a PGA Tour record for birdies in one round), including a three footer on the 18th hole to shoot a 59. In addition, Beck finished runner up in three Majors, the 1986 and 1989 U.S. Opens and 1993 Masters.

“Chip was one of the first PGA Tour players to shoot 59.” Hogan says.  “I wonder if he remembers shot by shot or if it’s more of a blur, like some say when they are in the zone?”

Beck certainly remembers lots of great stories about his Ryder Cup years.

“Playing on a Ryder Cup team is such a tremendous part of my career,” Beck says. “I love to talk about my experiences and listen to others about their best Ryder Cup viewing memories.”

Premier Golf’s President Jim Ward believes Beck is the perfect ex-Ryder Cupper to host the cruise. “He’s a terrific guy and he’ll feel right at home because every passenger on the cruise will be a Ryder Cup enthusiast.”

The luxurious Viking Kadlin has outstanding amenties such as a putting green, walking track, sun deck, al fresco dining and free shipwide wireless Internet service. All of its 95 staterooms are outside with a river view and the lounge, bar and restaurant have floor-to-ceiling windows for stunning panoramas.

“Enhancing the appeal is the all-inclusive element of the cruise, which includes all drinks, food, receptions, on-board entertainment, shore excursions, tickets, transportation and gratuities,” Ward says.

The Official Premier Viking 2018 Ryder Cup Cruise offers passengers a special way to experience the Ryder Cup with an exceptional host who’ll take them behind-the-scenes in many different ways.