For the first time this century, the Ryder Cup is in US hands. With a final score of USA 16 ½, Europe 11 ½, Azinger's red shirted wonders took back the coveted cup in Louisville a few hours ago. Anthony Kim "played awesome", Boo Weekly continuously stoked the crowd and... on the other side... Ian Poulter may have finally silenced his critics.Then there were the darker outcomes. Nick Faldo has some questionable decisions to answer for, but knowing Nick Faldo, he'll land firmly on his feet. I know guys like Nick Faldo, and even monumental losses hardly dent their veneer. Besides, he has the controversial Poulter pick to fall back on. Phil Mickelson, the great left-hander with the perennially hot wife, was underwhelming, and ultimately remained faithful to his Ryder reputation. And Sergio...the life blood of the European team since the start of the millennium...struggled throughout.
It was as inspired, exciting and highly charged as golf gets... however, hardly headline-worthy, it seems. News of the U.S. victory was a discreet footnote on ESPN.com this afternoon, overshadowed by the losing Patriots and the final game at Yankee Stadium.
I try not to worry about that, but I do. I know golf is a niche sport, but with the economic climate we're entering I fear support for golf may erode further, to the point where it'll revert to its exclusionary past where greens fees were unaffordable and tee times impossible to get. After enjoying the heck out of this Ryder Cup, I'm hoping I'm wrong about that.
ryder cup is the most exciting golf event for spectators - no qestion about it. but it is an event for diehards - it is a very long three days - 11 hours on fri and sat and 6+ hours on sun - that is a 28 hour event over 3 days - a bit much for most fans to endure unless you are a diehard.
ReplyDeleteso while it will never get the attention of football sunday it electrifies the golf world every 2 years and national/continental pride is on dispaly in full colors.
i love it and frankly don't care how popular it is or isn't. maybe it is good that it is somewhat obsure - it keeps the marketing machine, which has ruined many big events - like the olympics- away! thank god...
I loved the Cup. But I worry about golf's coverage also. I walked into our "GOLF" pro shop Saturday afternoon to see one TV on the Ohio State game and the 2nd TV on another football game. I was disgusted! There is something seriously wrong when our own golfers aren't even watching our boys.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting how I grew up with my dad begging me to play more golf. I did here and there but recently, I have really wanted to pick up the sport and made the decision that I would perfect my game this fall to play next spring.
ReplyDeleteAt the same time, since my day job is working as an Assistant to the VP at Lacoste, I have really grown to love golf and to follow it. It is sad that it is not followed as widely as some of my other favorite sports; however there is something to be said for its classic elements which is what I love about it. I think there is something exclusive/intimate about it and I am so excited to grow into it more and to begin playing next year
patricia -- good thoughts on the ryder cup getting lost among the other big sports stories.
ReplyDeleteIt has really become a favorite of mine -- the best drama in golf. Every single shot is pressure-filled, and it is too bad it got lost among the Pats and Yankee stadium, because it's one of the 2008 sports highlights.
good job as always!
The U.S. team was the under dog going in, and our #1 player (T.W.) sidelined by injury and our boys still brought the Cup home.
ReplyDeleteThis was a significant achievement in sports and our national team won. So I agree, why isn't this getting more coverage? You can watch football 3 times a week but the Ryder Cup only comes around every two years!
heather - maybe they just needed a break from hearing Johnny Miller's broadcasting. :-/
ReplyDeleteThis was one of the all time great Ryder Cup ties - even if the Euro's had managed to find a way to win - the quality of golf was as good as you'll ever see.
It was a great Ryder Cup, and a well deserved win for the american team. It was absolutely stunning golf played by both teams with the americans having the better putts falling for them and consequently winning.
ReplyDeleteBut, and it hurts me to say that (but keep in mind that i'm european), the attitude of some of the fans wasn't to my liking. Rooting for your home team is totally ok, but celebrating failed shots of the away team is not sportsmanlike at all, and especially in golf i was really disappointed about that. I'm sure you won't see that in europe in 2010!
dirk
ReplyDeleteyou saw the very same dynamic "fans rooting against the visiting team" in ireland in '06. i agree it is unfortunate, but i have come to understand that in this emotion (and alcohol) charged event the fans on both sides of the pond get out of hand at times.
the players need to accept this and the euro's need to admit that it happens on their side as well.
additionally, lee westwoods comments and attitude in the post game press conference were disgraceful. he may have felt "abused" but he should have kept it to himself - and the comment about not liking to play in the U.S. was very stupid, he came off as a big crybaby.
contrast westwood to paul casey who kept it simple- he repeatedly said "we got beat" "they were the better team is week" "i tip my hat to those guys", etc.
casey has clearly learned from his own U.S. bashing experieence from a few years ago - good sportsmmanship is a two way street, if you get beat (no matter how you played or how you feel) - it's always the same formula - hat's off to the winners - bury your pride and get them next time -and do not under any circumstances cry in your cheerios on the world stage.
You had to love the Anthony Kim interviews after his round and before the US clinched the Cup. His excitement was overflowing.
ReplyDeleteHow can you beat his line about what he had been doing since the end of his match ? "I've been trying to get some food and trying to stay calm...I'm coming out of my skin right now." CLASSIC !
GG - keep heading south to Atlanta - Sergio probably still needs that hug before the Tour Championship. :-)
ReplyDeleteIf Ohio State football was on one TV and NFL on the other TV and Heather was in the room. I would be watching Heather.
ReplyDeleteYeah ~ WooHoo ~ What a great day! The Pats had to lose sometime. Lots of good football (those Redskins won!!) The Ryder Cup was so awesome - watch tons of coverage on the Golf Channel after regular coverage was over! Finally had to go to bed! Great posts this past week re: the Ryder Cup!
ReplyDeleteYou make a great point. I thought about it all weekend, wondering what next years sponsorships will mean to the PGA Tour and more so the LPGA Tour. It's time for Big Oil to step up and make sure this wonderful game doesn't take a step back. Anthony Kim was a breathe of fresh air.
ReplyDelete