A GROUP of golf fans paid about £70,000 for a trip to the Ryder Cup – but ended up watching it at home on TV.

The golf enthusiasts were expecting a dream trip to see the nail-biting competition until the company they booked with ceased trading.

Gary Peddie, general manager of Parkstone Golf Club in Poole said the members and friends had been due to fly out to the States early last week, but were told two weeks beforehand that the trip would not be going ahead.

“They were all very disappointed. A few of them went after making their own arrangements but they are trying to get their money back,” he said.

The Echo understands that around 20 people had been due to travel, paying at least £2,800 each to a Hampshire-based company. A few had paid extra for an upgrade.

Some have been looking into whether they can recover any money from holiday and travel consultant Nigel Williams, whose company International Fairways has been dissolved.

Mr Williams is also a director of Golf Fairways Ltd of Basingstoke and Tournament Fairways Ltd, which has its registered address as c/o Southampton accountants Tim Lyons and Co.

Other golf clubs affected have been exchanging information with Parkstone members.

One is Wanstead in Essex, where 48 members paid thousands of pounds to Mr Williams for overseas golfing breaks.

Another said: “There are some hugely disgruntled people, not just in this club but also in other clubs.”

A Dorset Police spokeswoman confirmed that it had received complaints from individuals who said they had paid for holidays they did not receive.

“The police are looking into the matter to determine if any criminal offences have been committed,” she said.

Mr Williams was not available for comment.