Minnesota Balking At Trade Outs For Extra Ryder Cup Security

AP’s Brian Bakst has obtained emails, notes and other documents that demonstrate a wariness by Minnesota state officials.

It seems--shocking as this may seem--they are weary of putting up as much as $2 million worth of security overtime and other costs related to the Ryder Cup in exchange for private chalets or other promotional considerations.

Although their efforts fell short — the Legislature concluded its session after passing a budget without any money for the prestigious tournament — organizers are expected to continue to push for state assistance before next year's event.

Their pitch — detailed in a private meeting held days before lawmakers adjourned their 2015 legislative session — ran from $600,000 to $2 million depending on the state's involvement and willingness to absorb security costs. Potential benefits would range from the use of a private chalet for tourism and business promotion to Minnesota-themed ads run on international TV to hundreds of event tickets.