For golfers

[Rick Danger]

I'm watching the trophy presentation. What a passionate, classy crowd. They appreciated the quality of the competition they witnessed. You get the feeling they'd cheer no matter the outcome, so long as the play was at such a high level.

If more golf matches were like that here in the US, I'd watch more. Truly exciting.

[scoundrel]

Originally Posted by TexMadrid

Boooooooooooo!

Turned out to be a great tourney! Loved the course. It was supposed to rain today. I didn't think there would be play. Nice job Europe. Next time the cup will be ours!

I am always struck by cheering for an opposing player's screw up. It is so out of character with golf!

I was never convinced that the USA team were just going to genuflect as the Europe team triumphantly helped themselves to the Ryder Cup and indeed they did not. It was good golf on the unscheduled 4th day and the USA players fought tooth and nail exactly as you should when you are playing for your country rather than your bank balance. It is as far as I know the only occasion on which professional tournament golfers play for honour, and so they should play with all their heart and the American lads did so. They were beat, but they can go home with their heads held high because they fought all the way to the bitter end.

I too noted the cheering when US players wound up in the sand or the deep rough. This has been going on in European rounds of the Ryder Cup for some years now: I think anyone who cheers under those circumstances is a chav. It happens in USA rounds as well but not nearly as much and I do believe it is frowned on there, quite rightly, as cheap and unsporting. It's OK in some sports, but not in golf.

[TexMadrid]

Originally Posted by scoundrel

I too noted the cheering when US players wound up in the sand or the deep rough. This has been going on in European rounds of the Ryder Cup for some years now: I think anyone who cheers under those circumstances is a chav. It happens in USA rounds as well but not nearly as much and I do believe it is frowned on there, quite rightly, as cheap and unsporting. It's OK in some sports, but not in golf.

Both sides are guilty of inappropriate cheering at every Ryder Cup; cheering of misfortune is standard. I was not putting down the largely European crowd. I hope my comment did not come off like that. That's the nature of team golf and fans. I was merely saying as a long time golfer and fan I can never get used to that aspect; such a contrast to all other tournaments.

[scoundrel]

Originally Posted by TexMadrid

Both sides are guilty of inappropriate cheering at every Ryder Cup; cheering of misfortune is standard. I was not putting down the largely European crowd. I hope my comment did not come off like that. That's the nature of team golf and fans. I was merely saying as a long time golfer and fan I can never get used to that aspect; such a contrast to all other tournaments.

I have no complaints about your observations Tex. I know full well that sport is competition and that it is a zero-sum game at the actual competition level, meaning that for every winner there must be a loser(s); however, my own view is that the true measure of a winner and of a loser is character under pressure. The cheering of a competitor's dropped shots or other misfortune by the fans of his/her opponent is a reflection on the fans who do it, a small failure of the character test on their part as spectators. This is true regardless of who they cheer for/against. I suppose it is the down side of competing in a team for something other than money, a reflection in the Ryder Cup of nationalism in sport. You see it more often in team sport where the team becomes a rallying point for the tribal identity of the fans; less often in individual contest tournament sport such as tennis and golf, where the contest is cheapened if you do not properly respect your guy's opponent. Even in boxing there is usually a big hand for the loser, especially if he fought well, an indication that the Corinthian spirit is not meaningless even in the most basic and brutal of contests.

In fairness, the Ryder Cup fans did show due respect for the beaten American team; neither were they at all unsporting during the tournament. The cheering of bad shots was disappointing but it was not the keynote of this fierce but totally sporting contest.

[Tmee2020]

Ther's a story about the Ryder Cup when Arnold Palmer was at the height of his powers, probably in the early 60's. It's in the UK, Palmer has flown in in his own private jet to meet the assembled American team, captained by Ben Hogan.
After meeting everyone and exchanging pleasantries Palmer says,

"What's this nonsense about us playing with a small ball? I don't play with a small ball."

Hogan says,

"Who says you're playing?"

[tony_grego]

Hi golfers.
This some pics of the last course i've played this week.

http://www.golfcostadoradatarragona.com/cat/index.htm



18 holes in Costa Dorada Golf. A really nice course. And a really good golf day.

Salut !

[tony_grego]

What happens in Australia Masters of Golf?

(After 3rd round)

Player Thru Total
1 Bland, Adam Australia 0 -11
2 Gaunt, Daniel Australia 0 -8
3 Stolz, Andre Australia 0 -7
4 Lyle, Jarrod Australia 0 -5
5 Haller, Ryan Australia 0 -4
5 Appleby, Stuart Australia 0 -4
7 Jones, Steven Australia 0 -2
7 McKenzie, David Australia 0 -2
7 Ogilvy, Geoff Australia 0 -2
7 Pratt, Kieran Australia 0 -2

14. Tiger Woods (USA) 212 (69+72+71) -1

Only know who's the golf the local players?

Salut !

[Tmee2020]

Originally Posted by tony_grego

What happens in Australia Masters of Golf?

It's a pretty good strong field.
Apart from Woods there are Villegas and Garcia. Garcia played like a hairy goat yesterday.
Victoria is usually listed in the top 10 Australian Courses. I don't think much of the first hole, and the finish is a little strange with back to back par 5s.
It's a very, very good course though. Not very long by today's standards but no one's been tearing it up.

Woods has got to get his swing sorted. He should go and see Jimmy Ballard, Jimmy would sort him out.

[tony_grego]

Hi boys (and some girl?)
Yesterday we've played a very funny golf round in Taradell.
The temp was 1ºC and the landscape look like this



Incredibily, we don't miss a ball.

Salut !

[Cleburne]

Originally Posted by bawjaws

some incredible golf at the Masters tonight. My only gripe about the Augusta course is that it always looks more like a Hollywood movie set rather than a real golf course. Everything looks just too manicured and artificial

I was born in Augusta and have been many times. The course is evil and extremely difficult to see on TV. It is very hilly with rises of up to 300 feet. The grass is absolutely perfect, and the rough looks like the fairways at most courses. The pine trees keep it very tight, some fairways are only 25 yards wide in spots. As a good golfer (+4 hcp), I can honestly say I would shoot over 100 easily, but, alas they won't let me play...damn exclusive membership BS!.