Ryder Cup Adventure: If Only I'd Taken Notice!

Well there you have it, a convincing 17-11 victory and so the Ryder Cup returns to this side of the pond for two years. I'm disappointed but we were impressively outplayed by the Americans so well done them.

I should have known really because when I announced early last week that I was attending this event, cries of anguish could be heard all over the golfing community! My attendance would effectively be the "kiss of death" to any chance of a European victory and so it proved. People pleaded with me, "don't go" but I didn't listen! They were right. Actually, I have never been a superstitious person, I walk under ladders not round them and I've never had a problem with opening an umbrella in the house! What happened at Hazeltine was that we were beaten by a better team, period and so congratulations to the Americans. Ouch! That's so painful to say and to write as the tears run down my cheeks!

This has been a terrific experience, aided by some fantastic Minnesota weather and by the friendliness of everyone with whom I have come into contact, not least of which were my Airbnb hosts Jim and Pam. Yes, I know I paid for the privilege but they welcomed me into their beautiful home like a member of their family. Clear evidence of this was on day one of the Ryder Cup when I returned from the course to find that Pam had prepared a beautiful beef bourguignon for dinner. It was delicious but it was also lovely to sit down with an American family and "machine gun" them with questions about everything American including the current debacle of Clinton or Trump! That's a Blog never mind a Blog post, all of its own.

Much has been written about the behaviour of some fans, at Hazeltine and that's a shame because it puts a black mark on parts of the event. They are so in the minority but their lousy behaviour taints all their fellow countrymen, 99% of whom are no different to us and respect the qualities and the values in the game of golf. Quite frankly, anyone who goes outside limits and that includes shouting, "get in the hole" when a golfer has just driven off on a 633 yard Par 5, should be ejected from the course instantly! Or perhaps they should simply be shot! The other cardinal sin is shouting "mashed potato"! What's all that about?

Passions run high at the Ryder Cup but there is no excuse or defence for the abuse of players, particularly on their backswing but as long as alcohol is served from gates opening at 0630 to gates closing, it's never going to stop. However, without exception, every single person that I came into contact with over the three days has been a delight and the memories will live long.

One story to round off today is about fellow members of my golf club, Chris and Pam, who were also attending the Ryder Cup and not for the first time I might add. Seasoned veterans is a good description. There is a photo today which shows the crowds waiting for the gates to open on Sunday. 70,000 people were expected. All is good natured but as soon as the flag goes down, there is a cavalry charge to various parts of the course to grab a seat in your favoured Grandstand. Disappointment abounds because 70,000 bodies don't fit into 10,000 seats! Mind you, this daily rampage produces evidence of the miracle and power of sport because recipients of new hips and new knees suddenly transform into Usain Bolt, covering the ground at phenomenal pace in their efforts to get a seat!

Thanks to my luck on day one meeting Bob and Jason, the third hole had been my daily destination and sure enough, I got a seat for the final day's activity despite the Grandstand filling up in record time. I didn't know Pam and Chris were hoping for the same viewing point and I was surprised to find them queuing patiently when I went for my first toilet break. Once you have a place, nobody gives it up but on returning, I said "leave it with me, I'll have a word". I did, with one of the marshals in the stand and before I knew it, she was asking for silence and the possibility of creating a little more space. Like the parting of the seas, a few spaces became available and happily, two of these were filled by a smiling and very happy Pam and Chris. Thank you to that marshal and thanks to my friends for offering me free drinks back at Skipton Golf Club for life!

I might write one last post but if I don't then this experience has been one to savour and one to long stay in the memory. Would I do it again? Definitely not and it only served to confirm my pathological hatred of crowds. Mind you, if Europe had won 17-11, I would already be booking my tickets for Paris in two years time! As they say in France, "mangetout Rodney, mangetout"!