The Samuel Ryder Foundation has been campaigning for a statue of the famous St Albans resident to be situated within the city centre for a number of years.
The foundation has picked out three areas that they believe would be suitable; in front of St Albans Museum + Gallery, at the entrance to Christopher Place or near St Albans' historic clock tower.
However, St Albans City & District Council believe that a statue of the city's former mayor and Ryder Cup founder would be more suited to Verulam Golf Club.
Chris Traill, the local authority's strategic director for community and place delivery, said: “We are always happy to help and encourage community groups who wish to celebrate the district’s heritage.
“In this case, we had discussions with the Samuel Ryder Foundation about their plans to erect a statue of the founder of golf’s Ryder Cup.
“Ryder is also a former city mayor, councillor and prominent businessman and we are supportive of this initiative.
“However, the foundation wanted to place the statue in front of the St Albans Museum + Gallery and we did not think this is an appropriate spot.
“We feel a statue to commemorate a historic golfing figure would be out of context there, at the entrance to the city’s principal art and cultural venue.
“We are certainly not opposing the idea of a Ryder statue and have suggested Verulamium Golf Club, where Ryder was once a member, would be a far more fitting location.
“This would be the perfect site because of the strong personal and sporting connections and we are sure the club would welcome his ‘homecoming’."
Speaking with The Herts Advertiser, Samuel Ryder Foundation trustees Bob Reitemeier and Dave Holwell disagreed with this point.
Dave Holwell replied: "We would argue it's the most appropriate place in the city!
"That chair over there (Dave pointed to the judge's chair in the museum's courtroom) is where he used to sit as mayor and magistrate."
Bob continued: "This was the city hall. Yes, it's now a museum, but a museum is as much for art as history.
"A museum should be talking about the history of St Albans and he is the greatest modern citizen of this city."
The council's Chris Traill also cited limited space, and ensuring that values such as inclusivity and diversity are reflected, as reasons for the council's view on the matter.
He added: “In making decisions about public art, we have to bear in mind the limited space we have in the city centre and the many demands upon it.
“We also have to ensure public art reflects our values such as inclusivity and recognition of the rich diversity of our modern day community.”
In response to this, Bob Reitemeier commented: "We are the Samuel Ryder Foundation, so our interest is in making sure the greatest modern citizen of the city is recognised and appreciated.
"The council could come up with other statues or other ways of recognising the city's diverse population, and we would applaud that if they did.
"We don't see that as our responsibility, we certainly see it as theirs, and for them to exclude the greatest modern citizen on that basis simply doesn't seem to hold up."
Speaking of the positives that the statue would bring to the community, Dave and Bob said they believe it would bring more visitors to the city centre.
Dave added: "If you're going to speak about tourism then the golf club is an absolute non-starter.
"The golf club is a private place, you have to be a member to go there unless you are an invited guest.
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"It's also a couple of miles down the road, so if you are on a walking tour of St Albans you don't exactly find your way down there."
Lastly, Bob said: "It's our objective as a foundation, for the recognition that we think is due, to be actually implemented.
"So, it would mean everything to us but, it's not about us, it's about the generations to come.
"It may very well be that, without any recognition now, generations from now will only understand the Ryder Cup and not the rich history of his life."
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