Actually, that's not true... though it's been reported that way all over the place... In fact, Camilo Villegas is as American as apple pie. Except that he hails from the south... way down south in the southern hemisphere. But I know what they mean.
When Stewart Cink was eliminated by Paul Casey this morning at Dove Mountain it market the first time in the 12-year history of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship that the semi-finals have included no US Americans.
A pair of Englishmen a Spaniard and a Colombian are now have way through the semi-final round on a desert course that's behaving more like an Open Championship course weather-wise. These are golfers we know well and (most of us) love to watch ...PGA players who spend much of their time on North America soil.
It's not the finish some had feared... the weekend with no known names... but considering that 20 US players stared out on Wednesday it does seem to reaffirm the growing global nature of golf. Granted with Tiger Woods, shall we say, otherwise occupied... and Phil Mickelson not playing, it could be said that valuable US elements were missing. There's also the common argument that we don't play match play growing up while the rest of the world does consequently they just don't "feel it" the players from other countries do. No matter how you look it though, all indications are that the days of US domination in golf are may well be coming to a close. With golf now an Olympic sport, countries across the globe are making investments in golf, building infrastructure and developing national junior golf programs. Here in the US we've got private system and awesome organizations like The First Tee and the American Junior Golf Association but is that enough these days? Maybe it is, because maybe the world has just become that much smaller.
After all, the four players in the semi-finals today; Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, Paul Casey and "token American" Camilo Villegas studied here and/or live here... and they're huge stars here, maybe we should just embrace them as our own. That's my idea.
I did find it odd that in the final 8 there was only one "true" American there. It just seems that recently International players, especially European, play much better in Match Play type of events. Not really sure why that is.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant!! Informative,thorough and a splash of funny as heck.... I like it...........
ReplyDeletewatching the coverage this morning....I was expecting you to comment about the clothing. None of the final 8 wear traditional baggy golf attire. Sergio Garcia looked frumpy next to the others...that says something.
ReplyDeleteI may need to hit the gym before wearing it...but the sweaters worn by Oliver Wilson is on my shopping list!
And Cristie Kerr is "The Lone Ranger" (USA player) in the top ten at the LPGA event in Thailand. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteBaseball probably robs the US of many golf champions. Especially in the suburbs, we've made it so that participation in baseball sports is a very important part of a boy's development and social acceptance. We're facing that now. Our son has an exceptional talent for golf that has been recognized golf pros and instructors across the state, but all he thinks about is baseball because of the culture of our school and town. We're struggling to keep him in golf and that's the first thing I thought of when I read your story.
ReplyDeleteIt's been great fun to watch. The Villegas-Casey match was incredible.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't describe Mr. Villegas as "token American." The folks following him yesterday with the Colombian flag certainly didn't think so. ;o)
Golf is so international that it gives us a variety of different players to root for. I love that about it!
Oh- I embrace the world flavor in the LPGA. I just wish more Americans were higher up week to week. I actually think it's a cycle. There are many Americans improving week to week even. Blumenherst for one. Oh- and don't forget Alexis Thompson, who I think will be a huge star.
ReplyDeleteObviously Cristie, Paula, Michelle, Morgan, Christina, the 2 Brittanys, etc. also.
Yes, the shift may be cyclical, we'll have to see, but the Match Play format does seem to be one International players just enjoy more.
ReplyDeleteBTW Phil, my fav outfit of the tournament was the Ryo Ishikawa green one (I'm going to post it).
Interesting comment about baseball and our baseball culture. And as far as the "token American", that was just an ironic reference to how "American" is taken to mean "from the United States" when, in fact The Americas include Canada, Central and South America making citizens of all those places Americans too, right? ...at least in the technical sense. ;)
I think team sports, like baseball, are still good for kids- learning to be part of a group and pulling together as a group. It is hard to force a kid onto a team or into an individual sport. They might grow to hate either one. Or both. It's tough being a parent, teacher, or coach in those areas.
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