Wake me up ... is Ryder Cup over yet

[Minarets]

[quote name='MikeC' timestamp='1286243100' post='2728679']
I posed your suggestion of ending the Ryder Cup to The Most Interesting Man in the World and he said simply..."no".

Thanks for coming out though!
[/quote]

im right here, brah!

[SPY ZINGER]

I actually thought about making this very post. I just can't get into the Ryder Cup (or Presidents cup). I think the OP said it best, it's manufactured drama. The press give it so much passionate attention. I apologize, but I just do not understand the hype behind it. Who cares?

[petter7]

[quote name='mosesgolf' timestamp='1286247827' post='2728844']
When it gets competitive like the last 2, it's one of the most exciting sporting events to watch on tv. Just my humble opinion. C'mon if what Ricky Fowler did the last 4 holes and especially what he had to do on the 18th hole to keep US hope alive doesn't peek your interest than you're off your rocker. That was one of the most exciting putts I've seen on tv in a long long long time. Then watching Zack close out his match and then going off to Hunter Mahans. It sucks that he choked on 17 and Graham made an awesome putt on 16. But what if Hunter would've halved his match? He would've been a Ryder Cup legend. Congrats to Graham M who is now a hero all over Europe. How is that not exciting?
[/quote]

I guess I'll have to watch it now. Maybe I'll find some time in the next couple weeks.

I'll betcha Graeme wouldn't give up that USGA Open victory over winning the Ryder
Cup if he had to choose. We'll never know since he'll never have to do that. JMHO.

[hogans71]

GREAT thread. You make some excellent points. Sometimes the truth hurts.

 

Didn't even watch this years Ryder Cup. Did the Euros win???

 

I did record it on my Phillips HDD. I hope NBC had some high speed swings.

 

Of course, if they were lame AGAIN and only used it for players pumping their

fists and pin flags flapping in the wind I can go to YouTube and get some good

swing vids from INCHMARLODC. He has some great slo mo vids.

 

It will continue on because Europe feeds off team events of any kind. It's another

reason to party and drink themselves into a stupor. Party on guys!!

 

Instead of a predictable stab in the dark, why dont you back up your "excellent point" claim with something concrete?

 

One of the better sporting events on the docket- your lame attempt at being witty and urbane is oh so played out...

 

If you fail to see the excitement surrounding this event and appreciate the amazing performances put forth by either side then clearly you are difficult to impress. Such is life...

[matthewsiv]

If you did not enjoy the Ryder Cup,you are crazy.

You think that nobody cares about it? when Hunter Mahan is in tears two hours after he has finished?

The Ryder Cup is irrelevant and outdated?

Go tell those 24 players and they would smack you silly.

It is all about pride and heart.

Which I think can tell you who has the heart to be a champion and who may fail.

It is a commercial event,just like every tournament every week but that is where the comparison ends.

It was a one sided event until 1979 when it went from GB and Ireland to European since then it has brought some of the most exciting and thrilling moments in golf.

If you are an American just remember Brookline or get the DVD or if you are European the memories of the Tony Jacklin captancies and the play of Severiano Balllesteros and the child like Jose Maria Olazabal.

Either you write this post in jest or are not a fan of competitive sport.

You are of course entitled to your opinion as I am mine.

Enjoy.

[SPY ZINGER]

GREAT thread. You make some excellent points. Sometimes the truth hurts.

 

Didn't even watch this years Ryder Cup. Did the Euros win???

 

I did record it on my Phillips HDD. I hope NBC had some high speed swings.

 

Of course, if they were lame AGAIN and only used it for players pumping their

fists and pin flags flapping in the wind I can go to YouTube and get some good

swing vids from INCHMARLODC. He has some great slo mo vids.

 

It will continue on because Europe feeds off team events of any kind. It's another

reason to party and drink themselves into a stupor. Party on guys!!

 

Instead of a predictable stab in the dark, why dont you back up your "excellent point" claim with something concrete?

 

One of the better sporting events on the docket- your lame attempt at being witty and urbane is oh so played out...

 

If you fail to see the excitement surrounding this event and appreciate the amazing performances put forth by either side then clearly you are difficult to impress. Such is life...

Petter7 is a respected PGA Pro and provides substantial insight on the forums. Why can't people voice their opinions on their lack of interest in the Ryder Cup without a personal attack? Maintain discipline.

[KDMullins]

[quote name='matthewsiv' timestamp='1286248610' post='2728866']
[b]Either you write this post in jest or are not a fan of competitive sport.
[/b]
[/quote]

I agree. I think it's one of the greatest competitions in all of sport. If you like sports/competition, I just don't see how you could not like the Ryder Cup.

[hogans71]

[quote name='SPY ZINGER' timestamp='1286247980' post='2728851']
I actually thought about making this very post. I just can't get into the Ryder Cup (or Presidents cup). I think the OP said it best, it's manufactured drama. [i][u]The press give it so much passionate attention. I apologize, but I just do not understand the hype behind it. Who cares?[/u][/i]
[/quote]

You can insert this line regarding every single "big" sporting event on the planet...

The "World" Series?
BCS Championship
NBA playoffs
NASCAR
World Cup

Honestly, what's the difference? I find it strange, however, that a site such as this dedicated to the game of golf has frequent visitors to it who cant get up for such an event. Regardless of what the press does, the golf displayed during the Ryder Cup is some of the finest in the history of the game. Open your eyes people- this is good a display of the game as it gets!!

Unless, of course, you're petter7- he didn't even know the outcome. Must have been glued to his seat for the riveting drama that took place at the Viking Classic..

[hogans71]

GREAT thread. You make some excellent points. Sometimes the truth hurts.

 

Didn't even watch this years Ryder Cup. Did the Euros win???

 

I did record it on my Phillips HDD. I hope NBC had some high speed swings.

 

Of course, if they were lame AGAIN and only used it for players pumping their

fists and pin flags flapping in the wind I can go to YouTube and get some good

swing vids from INCHMARLODC. He has some great slo mo vids.

 

It will continue on because Europe feeds off team events of any kind. It's another

reason to party and drink themselves into a stupor. Party on guys!!

 

Instead of a predictable stab in the dark, why dont you back up your "excellent point" claim with something concrete?

 

One of the better sporting events on the docket- your lame attempt at being witty and urbane is oh so played out...

 

If you fail to see the excitement surrounding this event and appreciate the amazing performances put forth by either side then clearly you are difficult to impress. Such is life...

Petter7 is a respected PGA Pro and provides substantial insight on the forums. Why can't people voice their opinions on their lack of interest in the Ryder Cup without a personal attack? Maintain discipline.

 

 

 

Hold up- not only is there no such attack, I fail to see where his "PGA PRO" status is even remotely relevant...

 

His "opinion" became more when he decided to interject a little jab towards the Euro side and their supposed "extra need" to party. As if this side of the pond is a bunch of teetotalers who sit on their hands with nary a thought of stirring the pot...

 

Off your high horse already with the "maintain discipline" crap. Like it, don't like it- I couldn't care less. If you feel the need to interject such an opinion then make it of some substance, no?

[SPY ZINGER]

GREAT thread. You make some excellent points. Sometimes the truth hurts.

 

Didn't even watch this years Ryder Cup. Did the Euros win???

 

I did record it on my Phillips HDD. I hope NBC had some high speed swings.

 

Of course, if they were lame AGAIN and only used it for players pumping their

fists and pin flags flapping in the wind I can go to YouTube and get some good

swing vids from INCHMARLODC. He has some great slo mo vids.

 

It will continue on because Europe feeds off team events of any kind. It's another

reason to party and drink themselves into a stupor. Party on guys!!

 

Instead of a predictable stab in the dark, why dont you back up your "excellent point" claim with something concrete?

 

One of the better sporting events on the docket- your lame attempt at being witty and urbane is oh so played out...

 

If you fail to see the excitement surrounding this event and appreciate the amazing performances put forth by either side then clearly you are difficult to impress. Such is life...

Petter7 is a respected PGA Pro and provides substantial insight on the forums. Why can't people voice their opinions on their lack of interest in the Ryder Cup without a personal attack? Maintain discipline.

 

 

 

Hold up- not only is there no such attack, I fail to see where his "PGA PRO" status is even remotely relevant...

 

His "opinion" became more when he decided to interject a little jab towards the Euro side and their supposed "extra need" to party. As if this side of the pond is a bunch of teetotalers who sit on their hands with nary a thought of stirring the pot...

 

Off your high horse already with the "maintain discipline" crap. Like it, don't like it- I couldn't care less. If you feel the need to interject such an opinion then make it of some substance, no?

Hey, settle down. You win.

[petter7]

You do have a different perspective to most, it doesn't come across as 'sour grapes' to me. more like boredom. Maybe being around golf has just made you jaded....I can understand that, which is why most pro golfer's have other interests.

The Ryder cup for us Europeans is based on the format we have been brought up on, namely matchplay. This is why we relate to and thrive on the matchplay format. Our go to game is four ball better ball even for friendly 'kick arounds'. We relate to that more than strokeplay which tends to be mostly for formal competition.

My experience of living and playing golf in the US is that most can't play golf without a card in their hands....and most are oblivious to their companion's scores.....which may be why the US Ryder cup teams do so well at singles whereas the Euros thrive on the team element. This is an observation from personal experience on my part and is not meant as a criticism.

[oldcarl]

Hey! Relax, for crying out loud. The Ryder Cup is a wonderful international competition. This year, Hooray for the Euros. The Best TEAM won.

[petter7]

 

Instead of a predictable stab in the dark, why dont you back up your "excellent point" claim with something concrete?

 

 

 

OK.

 

Excellent point #1 - Obnoxioius nationalism. It's pathetic and hard to watch.

 

Excellent point #2 - USA won so many and the comp was so one sided they had

to expand the British/Ireland team to include the entire European continent just to

keep interest in the event.

 

Excellent point #3 - It is intensely promoted and there is a definite manufacturing of

drama and there's no doubt it's a cash cow for the PGA.

 

Excellent point #4 - The Ryder Cup results are irrelevant. They don't matter when

considering the history of the game and the greatness of players.

 

That said, anytime you get some of the best players in the world together and put

them in an exhibition format like foursomes, four-ball, and head to head match play,

you should get some exciting results somewhere during the competition, although,

there has been many lackluster matches over the years. But, in the end, it's still an

exibition and no one gets anything except one of the teams gets to keep the Ryder

Cup. The OP's post is valid, even though unpopular to Ryder Cup devotees. It's OK

and the Ryder Cup will continue on because it produces a lot of profits for a lot of

people and exciting entertainment for guys like you.

 

Sorry if I offended anyone with my party/drinking into a stupor comment. It was

totally a tongue-in-cheek comment.

[Nspiel58]

Now that it's over, I'm looking forward to where the fake alien invasion takes place, in American or Europe, or maybe India. I wonder if aliens golf? Would anyone look forward to another Cup, maybe call it the Universal Cup.

[hogans71]

"Guys like me"? Wow...

If I didnt know better, I would think that your passive-aggressive nature regarding this event was due to some sort of "sour grapes" incident in years gone by. As spyzinger pointed out- you being the "respected PGA pro" and all...

Alas, its just not that important to press forward with such silliness with someone who knocks such a competition yet apparently makes their living directly from the very organization that plays a such vital role in putting on said event...

Have a pleasant evening...

[joekelli]

i would love to see them make this a money event, lets say 10 million and the cup to the winning team and nothing to the losing team! It just seems the USA team just doesn't care if they win anymore. I would bet if there is money on the line we would see a different attitude among the players!

[muzz]

Ryder Cup is awesome, she knows not to even bother me when it's on.

I WISH they would change the selection process though, it kills me to watch guys like Phil GAG time after time, we look to have new Gaggers to follow him, they include guys like Kuchar, Bubba and DJ...........
They get in automatically because they win alot of $.

[Tim Delgado]

Figured that I would chime in here.

I recorded all the Ryder Cup coverage and zipped through it every evening because I love golf and therefore I enjoy watching the best players tee it up. They definately care about winning. But Petter is right about a few things IMO...

First, the "raising the roof" after EVERY putt during day freaking ONE was pretty ridiculous IMO. Molinari is a great player, and so is Fisher, but every time I saw them make a putt, even though the match was FAR from over, they were pumping their fists like they had just won the Superbowl. Not real classy IMO.

I also like Overton.....and he hit a GREAT shot when he holed out from the fairway....but his reaction (yelling and screaming at the top of his lungs ), and the seemingly forced and similar reaction from Bubba made me cringe. And I REALLY like those two players. Oh well, maybe some people think that is how you should react when you hit a great shot.

My suggestion to those players would be...if you want to see how to act when you hit a great shot, take a look at how Tiger reacted when HE holed out on the final day.

This event is indeed VERY heavily "manufactured" to be a cash cow for the PGA, and it is what it is. There was still some interesting and great golf played, and I will likely watch it in the future. But I must agree with Petter that the chest-thumping, wild gesturing to the crowd, and top-of-the-lungs screams were a BIT much.

Thank goodness that not everyone acted like a clown though....Furyk, Westwood, Donald, Woods, Stricker, Harrington, Jimenez, both Johnsons and ONE of the Molinari brothers all acted like gentlemen. I guess you have to give the others SOME slack because they are so young. Hopefully they will grow out of it.

Tim

[muzz]

FWIW Tiger never saw his shot from the FW even go in, so watching it track and drop didn't even come into play.
I HAVE seen him hole out and scream and fist pump before though......

Guess he got classier after his ahemmmm............ incidents

[Tim Delgado]

[quote name='muzz' timestamp='1286261869' post='2729050']
FWIW Tiger never saw his shot from the FW even go in, so watching it track and drop didn't even come into play.
I HAVE seen him hole out and scream and fist pump before though......

Guess he got classier after his ahemmmm............ incidents
[/quote]



Of course there is nothing wrong with showing some emotion...a fist pump, a few high fives, even a yell.....but to scream OVER and OVER again while walking down the fairway....No, you have NEVER seen Furyk, Tiger, Luke, Westwood, Stricker, Zach Johnson or a HUGE majority of the top players do that.

How would you like to be the guy that was playing against him and walking down the fairway nearby??

Tim

[muzz]

[quote name='Tim Delgado' timestamp='1286262384' post='2729053']
[quote name='muzz' timestamp='1286261869' post='2729050']
FWIW Tiger never saw his shot from the FW even go in, so watching it track and drop didn't even come into play.
I HAVE seen him hole out and scream and fist pump before though......

Guess he got classier after his ahemmmm............ incidents
[/quote]



Of course there is nothing wrong with showing some emotion...a fist pump, a few high fives, even a yell.....but to scream OVER and OVER again while walking down the fairway....No, you have NEVER seen Furyk, Tiger, Luke, Westwood, Stricker, Zach Johnson or a HUGE majority of the top players do that.

How would you like to be the guy that was playing against him and walking down the fairway nearby??

Tim
[/quote]

Don't tell me what I've seen, I SAW stuff just as bad or worse on FAR LESS difficult shots by the Euros all weekend, only difference is you couldn't HEAR them because the mics were being drowned out by the Raucous crowd greenside, the crowd isn't raucous out in the middle of the FW, so the mic is trained on THEM with no competition.

Nice try though.

Keep it classy............

[Tim Delgado]

I think you are missing my point Muzz.

If you had READ my earlier post, you would have seen that I mentioned this sort of childish behavior from BOTH teams and several players. This was not a slam on one side versus another....this is sadly what has come to be acceptable behavior by MANY of the Ryder Cup players. Thankfully, not all of them.

Tim

[joekelli]

[quote name='muzz' timestamp='1286258268' post='2729022']
I WISH they would change the selection process though, it kills me to watch guys like Phil GAG time after time, we look to have new Gaggers to follow him, they include guys like Kuchar, Bubba and DJ...........
They get in automatically because they win alot of $.
[/quote]

I agree with a change in the selection process. Maybe they need to have all captains picks, so the guys that really want to play in the event can politic their way in? I would rather see players that want to be there than guys who could care less. like this year Tiger wanted to be a captains pick and he wasn't shy about saying it. That's why he was a good pick this year!

[Tim Delgado]

[quote name='joekelli' timestamp='1286264492' post='2729065']
[quote name='muzz' timestamp='1286258268' post='2729022']
I WISH they would change the selection process though, it kills me to watch guys like Phil GAG time after time, we look to have new Gaggers to follow him, they include guys like Kuchar, Bubba and DJ...........
They get in automatically because they win alot of $.
[/quote]

I agree with a change in the selection process. Maybe they need to have all captains picks, so the guys that really want to play in the event can politic their way in? I would rather see players that want to be there than guys who could care less. like this year Tiger wanted to be a captains pick and he wasn't shy about saying it. That's why he was a good pick this year!
[/quote]


Tiger, Poulter and Zach Johnson clearly played the best golf of the final day. Those three guys have proven that they really WANT to be in that situation on Sunday and on the final day at the Ryder Cup. Three very mentally-strong players.

Not crazy about the all-captain's pick idea though. Obviously it is a pretty big honor to play for the RC team, so it should be based on performance and not a popularity contest IMO. I think the current structure, where the captains get a few picks, is a good one, and allows for the captains to screw it up (like Monty choosing Harrington) or make some great choices (like Pavin choosing Fowler....Tiger was a no-brainer).

Tim

[petter7]

[quote name='hogans71' timestamp='1286253616' post='2728956']
"Guys like me"? Wow...

If I didnt know better, I would think that your passive-aggressive nature regarding this event was due to some sort of "sour grapes" incident in years gone by. As spyzinger pointed out- you being the "respected PGA pro" and all...

Alas, its just not that important to press forward with such silliness with someone who knocks such a competition yet apparently makes their living directly from the very organization that plays a such vital role in putting on said event...

Have a pleasant evening...
[/quote]

Yeah, guys like you who love the Ryder Cup matches and believe they are the
highest caliber of golf on the planet. It must be a real shock to your sensibilities
having to deal with a counterpoint perspective. Don't take anything I've said so
personally. We just don't share the same opinion. I don't hate the Ryder Cup, I
just feel it's nowhere near as important of a competition as, let's say, golf's four
majors. I'll bet Monte would give up any of his RC prowess to experience what
it would be like to win an Open Championship. He knows if he would have won
one of those, he would be more of a hero than he is now because of his Ryder
Cup participation.

Just because I feel the Ryder Cup is more of an exhibition than the pinnacle of
competitive golf is not a knock on the PGA of America and the PGA has never
played a vital role in me making a living as a golf professional. I've always sent
them money, not the other way around. BTW, your [i]sour grapes [/i]theory is way off
the mark. I've been to several Ryder Cups, all of them before it was transformed
into an international circus. Enjoyed every one of them, but none of them had the
significance of what I experienced at the Masters and US Open.

Again, just my opinion and I'm not alone. This thread is not silly because there
[i]is[/i] another perspective on the RC matches and for a lot of people the overplayed
ceremony and glory is a bit too extravagant for what the RC was meant to be,
an informal competition between teams of American and British golfers.

[homerdog]

[quote name='petter7' timestamp='1286270522' post='2729080']

Yeah, guys like you who love the Ryder Cup matches and believe they are the
highest caliber of golf on the planet.
[/quote]

Don't be so patronising - you didn't, by your own admission, even watch it!

It sure sounds like sour grapes to me...

[mozgolf]

I love it and wish there was more match play. For all its being a bit of a tricked up circus I believe that matchplay is a better format to watch than strokeplay. Its like every day is interesting, strokeplay as a spectacle is really only decent watching on the final day IMHO.

Rightly or wrongly I still think the Euros always feel they are underdogs against the guys from the PGA Tour, with its bigger purses etc and as a result are more motivated to get one over the big dogs from the States. I am not saying the US guys aren't motivated or committed but that the Euro team is perhaps a touch more motivated

[all4's]

[quote name='Titleist1455' timestamp='1286247829' post='2728845']
[quote name='ernschaeden' timestamp='1286243049' post='2728676']
it will be interesting to see what happens if the US starts winning it regularly... it is a huge event in Europe now..>HUGE
[/quote]

we've already seen the US win it regularly...and it was one of the most boring events of all time. that's why the entire continent of Europe was added to the competition.
[/quote]

I think the point is that the Us winning all the time happened a long time ago. My generation didn't experience that. My generation has only seen Europe dominate.

[corky]

You do have a different perspective to most, it doesn't come across as 'sour grapes' to me. more like boredom. Maybe being around golf has just made you jaded....I can understand that, which is why most pro golfer's have other interests.

The Ryder cup for us Europeans is based on the format we have been brought up on, namely matchplay. This is why we relate to and thrive on the matchplay format. Our go to game is four ball better ball even for friendly 'kick arounds'. We relate to that more than strokeplay which tends to be mostly for formal competition.

My experience of living and playing golf in the US is that most can't play golf without a card in their hands....and most are oblivious to their companion's scores.....which may be why the US Ryder cup teams do so well at singles whereas the Euros thrive on the team element. This is an observation from personal experience on my part and is not meant as a criticism.

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='corky' timestamp='1286285351' post='2729239']
You do have a different perspective to most, it doesn't come across as 'sour grapes' to me. more like boredom. Maybe being around golf has just made you jaded....I can understand that, which is why most pro golfer's have other interests.

The Ryder cup for us Europeans is based on the format we have been brought up on, namely matchplay. This is why we relate to and thrive on the matchplay format. Our go to game is four ball better ball even for friendly 'kick arounds'. We relate to that more than strokeplay which tends to be mostly for formal competition.

My experience of living and playing golf in the US is that most can't play golf without a card in their hands....and most are oblivious to their companion's scores.....which may be why the US Ryder cup teams do so well at singles whereas the Euros thrive on the team element. This is an observation from personal experience on my part and is not meant as a criticism.
[/quote]

I must agree and I believe that the pencil and scorecard mentality that dominates American golf sadly diminishes the overall golf experience. Interesting the view of the Ryder Cup as a meaningless exhibition. For me, it is no more meaningless than the results of any professional tournament, money list, World Golf Ranking etc. Sure the majors are interesting, but beyond that, professional tournament golf has no bearing on me as a regular joe golfer other than its entertainment value. And as entertainment value goes, a team/match competition is far more interesting than a medal play tournament.