WEYMOUTH golf historian Peter Fry is celebrating another hole in one with the success of his book on Samuel Ryder - The Man Behind the Ryder Cup.

Ahead of this year's Ryder Cup in September, 36 copies have been ordered by Darren Clarke, the 2011 Open Champion.

Clarke is captain of the European Ryder Cup team and ordered the copies of the book for the players and officials at the upcoming match to be held at Hazeltine National Golf Club, Chaska, Minnesota, in the USA.

Peter originally wrote the book because of Weymouth's close connection with the tournament - Ryder used to play at Came Down Golf Club when he was holidaying in Weymouth with his family.

Peter said: "I was delighted when I heard my book had been ordered again.

"I try and promote my club Came Down's place in Ryder Cup history. I think a lot of people are aware on a regional basis but not on an international basis.

"Samuel Ryder, in his founding of the Ryder Cup matches, especially wished that the matches would be played in a spirit of goodwill that would help cement the friendship between the participating countries."

It was 15 years ago when the British PGA ordered 50 leather copies of Peter Fry's biography of Samuel Ryder, the donor of golf's famous Ryder Cup.

Peter's interest in Ryder Cup history began when he met the eldest daughter of Samuel Ryder while researching the history of the Came Down Golf Club.

She related how the Ryder family visited Weymouth regularly for their holidays.

As a country member of the Came Down club, Ryder got to play golf with the Whitcombe brothers and decided that young players of talent like them deserved support.

This was his main incentive for donating the Ryder Cup to be played for in matches between the best professional golfers of Great Britain and the USA.

Peter wrote the book because there were many books on the history of the Ryder Cup but none on the life of its donor Samuel Ryder.

He was also keen to spread the word on the reason why the Came Down club is described as 'the birthplace of the Ryder Cup'.

Gold fan Peter has been to three Ryder Cup tournaments and even managed a team of volunteers on the seventh hole at Gleneagles.