AS the Ryder Cup gets underway today at Gleneagles a Sale councillor is to explore the idea of putting a blue plaque up to commemorate the man who made it all possible.

Sam Ryder, who was brought up in Sale, used the wealth he amassed to to donate the gold Ryder Cup trophy and his influence to set up the tournament in 1927.

Cllr Rob Chilton said: "There has been comparatively little mention of Sam Ryder in narratives of Sale's history, which is a shame given his sporting importance.

"I intend to discuss this matter with community representatives and other councillors in Sale, and if there is a growing interest in Ryder's local legacy, and an appetite amongst the public for a blue plaque to commemorate him."

According to Cllr Chilton, since Victorian times, the town has had many great people from history associated with it, from J P Joule to Robert Bolt, and it was important to foster a sense of pride in Sale by celebrating the achievement of all such individuals.

He added: "I will certainly recommend to the council that he be granted such an honour."

Although born near Preston, Ryder's family is shown as living in Sale in 1871 at Wharf Road, and by 1881, at 'Stowey', Broad Road, where Sam senior developed a seedling business for gardeners.

Recently, the Messenger revealed that despite moving to St Alban's where he became the town mayor, he never forgot his roots back in Sale and returned in the early 1900s to praise his former head teacher Adam Watson who was retiring after 38 years of teaching at Sale Townships Schools, which was later to become Springfield Council Schools.

Mr Ryder, who made a short speech of congratulation, said: "If there was a man I should like to pay honour to it was my friend Adam Watson. Much of the success I had in my life I owed to the education I received from him.

"Mr Watson had as his principle ' I give you the groundwork of education; it is for you to educate yourselves and make the best of life afterwards."

Sam senior and mum Elizabeth are buried in the graveyard of St Martin's Church, close to Ashton-on-Mersey Golf Club.

Sam Jnr, who died in 1936, is buried in St Albans.