Let's talk Ryder Cup, shall we?

[Kissophile]

The Ryder Cup is back!

The folks who brought you "The War by the Shore" and "The Miracle at Brookline" will be at it again this weekend. Since I'm sure I'm not the only golf fan here in Lit, I thought it might be fun to start a thread where fans can post their thoughts, maybe lay in a prediction or two, and generally have some fun while the pros play to the death (at least to listen to the broadcasters tell about it).

So, a few questions to get us started:

Do you think the European team will repeat or will the American side keep the cup from crossing the big pond again?

Will Tiger reverse his past Ryder Cup record and win some points outside the singles this year?

Is this Monty's last stand?

Is 10 hours a day enough TV coverage for the Friday and Saturday matches?

If you had to play a four-ball match tomorrow, would you know the rules?

And a bonus question: do you know how victories in a row make up the longest string of matches in which the U. S. side has won the Ryder Cup?

Oh and one last thing: let's keep this civil. No tossing any beer or jeers at Monty and no dancing on the 17th green.

Fore!

 

[Cathleen]

Hi Kisso, I am very excited for the matches to commence and will certainly be rooting for the home team! I know it will be a great event for everyone but Europe isn't taking that cup back with them.

I hope Tiger has found his swing, he hasn't been playing as well without a coach. I believe he will rise to the occasion with this team though. This is no ordinary tournament, this is far more.

I'll be glued to the TV for as much as I can, so I'll take as much coverage they'll put out there.

As for Monty - perhaps his last stand, but what a stand he can make, he sure can dig down and pull out some amazing shots and his passion for this match is huge.

As for playing a match tomorrow, yes, I'd know a four-ball from medal play, better ball, alternate or any other style of golf. You could say I was born with a golf club in my hand.

Bring on the matches!! Less then 36 hours away!!

Being obviously biased here ~ Go Team USA!!!!

 

[Cathleen]

I do believe the longest USA winning streak was from 1935 to 1955, where we won The Ryder Cup seven times.

Noting that there were no matches played after 1937 due to WWII and the matches returned in 1947.

I'm so excited!! Can you tell?

 

[Kissophile]

Cathleen, it appears you're more than a casual fan.

It's going to be fun; I just hope that the American fans don't get carried away. Golf has become too much like other, more partisan sports in the last few years (thanks, especially, to the fans at Bethpage ) and I hope that a good measure of civility can be brought back.

I'm with you - Go USA! - but I'm wary of some of the European journeymen who have killed us in the past.

 

[Cathleen]

Cathleen, it appears you're more than a casual fan.

It's going to be fun; I just hope that the American fans don't get carried away. Golf has become too much like other, more partisan sports in the last few years (thanks, especially, to the fans at Bethpage ) and I hope that a good measure of civility can be brought back.

I'm with you - Go USA! - but I'm wary of some of the European journeymen who have killed us in the past.

I agree, some attendees at golf tournaments seemed to have shown some rather unsportsmanship behavior. I have always enjoyed the quality of the people associated with golf as a whole.

I do not enjoy seeing some of our compatriots waving the flag in the faces of the opponents. I hope we can show our pride with some class and dignity.

About those "Eurpoean Journeymen", I'd rather not even think about what they can do, it could boggle the mind, but we too have some fine talent to stand up and give their all.


btw Kisso, you can call me Cate if you'd rather - your choice! lol

 

[wanderer2704]

Message from a European Fan

I can't believe that you two are the only fans of this fantastic competition (other than myself) on Lit.

Cate already knows my feelings about who will win and I am sure Kisso you can guess who I expect to win.

All right I know you Americans have the best record in the competition but you should bear in mind that it originally started between Great Britain and the USA - a small country against a large. The competition had become much closer (and more interesting) since Europe took on the USA and we were able to include people like Sevy and Bernhard Langer in the team.

I truly believe that this years competition will be close as well as exciting. I personally am not bothered about any American player in particular because I think the Europeans play better as a team. I have yet to see Tiger, for instance, really become a team player. Don't get me wrong in any other tournament I would be cheering him on with the rest of the world but not this one.

As for Monty - over the years he has been one of our best players - I still find it amazing that he has never won a major but then last year everyone would say the same thing about Phil Mickleson. I do not think that Monty will win a major now but I do think he will do well (he has the best Ryder cup record of any player on either side) in this competition, particularly if the crowd get on his back like they did in Brookline as that seems to inspire him.

 

[wanderer2704]

Just wanted to add one more thing


Go Europe

 

[Kissophile]

I do believe the longest USA winning streak was from 1935 to 1955, where we won The Ryder Cup seven times.

Noting that there were no matches played after 1937 due to WWII and the matches returned in 1947.

I'm so excited!! Can you tell?

Cate, you are correct that the United States side won 7 times in a row from 1935 to 1955. However, after the European team (captained by Dai Rees) won the matches in 1957, the U. S. then went on to win the cup 13 straight times, concluding in 1983 (at PGA National in W. Palm Beach, as I recall). Since then, the European side has a won-lost advantage over the U. S. that has helped make this into a rather competitive event.

 

[Kissophile]

Just wanted to add one more thing


Go Europe

Wanderer, if there was one guy I would secretly steal away and naturalize today, it would be Colin Montgomerie. The guy is truly built (even with a little less avoirdupois on the frame as is the case now) for the Ryder Cup.

It's going to be fun!

 

[Cathleen]

Cate, you are correct that the United States side won 7 times in a row from 1935 to 1955. However, after the European team (captained by Dai Rees) won the matches in 1957, the U. S. then went on to win the cup 13 straight times, concluding in 1983 (at PGA National in W. Palm Beach, as I recall). Since then, the European side has a won-lost advantage over the U. S. that has helped make this into a rather competitive event.

Thanks Kissophile, I hadn't remembered that.

I agree about Monty too, that is one man I'd rather not get riled and I hope the spectators there know that.......... just keep telling him how great he is and I'll be fine. Let the giant sleep!!

I'm looking forward to hearing the pairings for the morning matches - less than 24 hours away!!


Wanderer - baaaa to you

 

[wanderer2704]

Thanks Kissophile, I hadn't remembered that.

I agree about Monty too, that is one man I'd rather not get riled and I hope the spectators there know that.......... just keep telling him how great he is and I'll be fine. Let the giant sleep!!

I'm looking forward to hearing the pairings for the morning matches - less than 24 hours away!!


Wanderer - baaaa to you

Good morning Cate

Good to see that you had a good nights sleep because you won't be getting one over the next few nights through worry about how badly your team is doing.

Glad to see both you and kissophile understand Monty, but you also have to remember there are 11 other great European players out there. Some of whom like Luke Donald, Paul Casey and Ian Poulter are all in their ascendancy rather than players in some other team I could mention who quite simply are not.

 

[Kissophile]

Thanks Kissophile, I hadn't remembered that.

I agree about Monty too, that is one man I'd rather not get riled and I hope the spectators there know that.......... just keep telling him how great he is and I'll be fine. Let the giant sleep!!

I'm looking forward to hearing the pairings for the morning matches - less than 24 hours away!!


Wanderer - baaaa to you

Care to make any predictions about which players Sutton might put together?

 

[Admiral Horatio]

I just thought i should announce my support for the European team, it seems at the moment that its wanderer verses you two, and we can't have that, got to even up the odds.

I'm just hoping that poulter doesn't wear any daft trousers and embaress all us europeans.

I myself went to the one in Spain, truly great experience, especially the last day, when we won!

 

[wanderer2704]

I just thought i should announce my support for the European team, it seems at the moment that its wanderer verses you two, and we can't have that, got to even up the odds.

I'm just hoping that poulter doesn't wear any daft trousers and embaress all us europeans.

I myself went to the one in Spain, truly great experience, especially the last day, when we won!

Glad to have you on my side Admiral. I must admit to wondering about Poulter's trousers but then decided that they all wear a sort of uniform anyway don't they.

Good idea rubbing in the winning bit, I think we should also rub in the fact that we in recent years have won more times than them.

Do you want to emphasise just how many times that is or shall I?

 

[Kissophile]

I just thought i should announce my support for the European team, it seems at the moment that its wanderer verses you two, and we can't have that, got to even up the odds.

I'm just hoping that poulter doesn't wear any daft trousers and embaress all us europeans.

I myself went to the one in Spain, truly great experience, especially the last day, when we won!

Yes, they were even able to corral Jesper's taste in trousers for three days in past years. I'm sure Mr. Poulter will play just fine without his usual array of "daft trousers." t

 

[Admiral Horatio]

Yes, they were even able to corral Jesper's taste in trousers for three days in past years. I'm sure Mr. Poulter will play just fine without his usual array of "daft trousers." t

I believe i shall let wanderer point out how many times we have won it.

I shall just ask the question....Who are the current holders?

 

[Kissophile]

Glad to have you on my side Admiral. I must admit to wondering about Poulter's trousers but then decided that they all wear a sort of uniform anyway don't they.

Good idea rubbing in the winning bit, I think we should also rub in the fact that we in recent years have won more times than them.

Do you want to emphasise just how many times that is or shall I?

Beginning with 1985, the European side holds a 6 to 3 advantage. There. It's on the table.

This year I think there is a parity to the teams that should prove to be quite interesting.

 

[wanderer2704]

All right then I will rub it in out of the last 10 europe have won 6.

More impressive though is that out of the last four we have won 3!

 

[Cathleen]

All right then I will rub it in out of the last 10 europe have won 6.

More impressive though is that out of the last four we have won 3!

like I said wanderer baaaaaaa

 

[Kissophile]

like I said wanderer baaaaaaa

Cate, let's have no more of these sheepish rejoinders

(unless....no, I won't go there as it's not sportsmanlike)

 

[Cathleen]

I believe i shall let wanderer point out how many times we have won it.

I shall just ask the question....Who are the current holders?

Hi Admiral - welcome to Lit. Now, don't let Wanderer fool you, he maybe your compatriot but he is ........ well a lady wouldn't say the words ....

 

[Cathleen]

Cate, let's have no more of these sheepish rejoinders

(unless....no, I won't go there as it's not sportsmanlike)

I will request a special exemption Kisso, when it comes to Wanderer, we have had other discussions where I find the need to "baaaa" him. So I hereby request the occasional "baaaa" to Wanderer. Most sincerely, me!

 

[Cathleen]

Care to make any predictions about which players Sutton might put together?

Actually no I don't. I can't really get a read on what is going on in his mind. Actually never really could, something about him that I've found to be missing. I hope he is a good captain for our team.

I have always like Berhard very much and think he will be a good captain, but both captains have nice talent to work with so it will be interesting to see how things pair up.

 

[Kissophile]

Actually no I don't. I can't really get a read on what is going on in his mind. Actually never really could, something about him that I've found to be missing. I hope he is a good captain for our team.

I have always like Bernhard very much and think he will be a good captain, but both captains have nice talent to work with so it will be interesting to see how things pair up.

Sutton has done an interesting thing by not intentionally trying out different pairings in practice rounds. That "something missing" may have been a heart. In his early days he got married and then divorced within several months time. The reason for the divorce: the marriage got in the way of his golf game. He's now much more mature but I am a bit concerned about his stress of individualism.

We shall see if his way works, won't we?

 

[Cathleen]

Sutton has done an interesting thing by not intentionally trying out different pairings in practice rounds. That "something missing" may have been a heart. In his early days he got married and then divorced within several months time. The reason for the divorce: the marriage got in the way of his golf game. He's now much more mature but I am a bit concerned about his stress of individualism.

We shal see if his way works, won't we?

I agree, it was his early days that had me wondering what he was made of, I do hope maturity has a firm hold on him now. I believe it does but this will be a test of his ability to think outside his own box. I have faith but I'd rather know for certain!

And please,please may I have that exemption with Wanderer??? You can't believe the emails I've been putting up with from that man!!