The largest-ever single donation for the proposed statue of Samuel Ryder in the city centre has come from the parent company of the golf trophy named after him.

Ryder Cup Europe has given a £25,000 donation to the Samuel Ryder Foundation (SRF) which will go towards the fund for a statue of the former St Albans Mayor and seed merchant which is being put up in St Peter’s Street.

SRF was set up in 2010 to increase awareness of Samuel Ryder and raise £150,000 to erect and maintain a statue of the man in the centre of St Albans.

Co-chair Patricia Fulton, said: “This wonderfully generous donation by Ryder Cup Europe goes a long way towards our objectives to honour Samuel Ryder and his deeds both in golf and so many other things.”

The foundation’s patrons include some of the world’s greatest golfers including Jack Nicklaus, Tony Jacklin, Colin Montgomerie, Bernard Gallacher, Peter Alliss and Ben Crenshaw. Its president is Mary Moore, Ryder’s only surviving grandchild.

Members of the SRF helped design the Samuel Ryder Trail through the streets of St Albans in 2010, taking in the Clarion Hotel, now called Samuel Ryder Building, the former head office of Ryder & Son.

Planning permission for the life-size bronze statue has already been granted and it will be positioned between Nationwide and Ladbroke’s in St Peter’s Street facing the old Town Hall.

Samuel Ryder is best known for The Ryder Cup, the trophy that bears his name, but he was also a successful businessman, exemplary employer, supporter of many charities, promoter of the arts, Mayor of St Albans and three times captain of Verulam Golf Club.

For more information, visit the Foundation’s website www.sryder.com or send an email to info@sryder.com.