Let's talk Ryder Cup, shall we?

[Kissophile]

You Know You're a Golf Nut when you look forward to a weekend of Padraig Harrington press conferences.

 

[bigcpl4fun]

And that would look like the so-called President's Cup, which is a pathetic rendition of the Ryder Cup, wouldn't you say?

Actually, I don't see the point of the President's Cup. Maybe they should just get up a list of eligibles and choose up sides, like we used to for sandlot baseball games .

 

[Kissophile]

Actually, I don't see the point of the President's Cup. Maybe they should just get up a list of eligibles and choose up sides, like we used to for sandlot baseball games .

Now, when I played sandlot games, the two best players got to do the choosing. Who are the two you would name to be the "captains?"

 

[bigcpl4fun]

Actually, the thing I don't like is the atmosphere at the modern Ryder Cup. You'd actually think it was like other sports. Players can;t bloxk another player's shot, they can't body check them, catch a ball from going into the hole, etc.

The only real adversary in golf is the course. Skill is important, but luck plays a big part. I think there's a real lack of appreciation for just how hard a game it is in the current "them vs. us" atmosphere.

Of course, that shouldn't prevent one from jerking someone's chain about it .

 

[bigcpl4fun]

Now, when I played sandlot games, the two best players got to do the choosing. Who are the two you would name to be the "captains?"

The two best players would be Vijay and Tiger right now. But I'd go for the two best strategists and I'd have to think long and hard on that.

 

[Kissophile]

The two best players would be Vijay and Tiger right now. But I'd go for the two best strategists and I'd have to think long and hard on that.

I agree. That would be the wisest way to go. I can tell you right now that Hal and Bernhard would not necessarily come to the top of my list of best strategists presently.

 

[Cathleen]

Morning Four-Ball Pairings:


MATCH 1 8:10 AM ET

T. Woods / P. Mickelson vs. C. Montgomerie / P. Harrington


MATCH 2 8:25 AM ET

D. Love III / C. Campbell vs. D. Clarke / M.A. Jiménez


MATCH 3 8:40 AM ET

C. Riley / S. Cink vs. P. McGinley / L. Donald


MATCH 4 8:55 AM ET

D. Toms / J. Furyk vs. S. Garcia / L. Westwood

 

[Kissophile]

Morning Four-Ball Pairings:


MATCH 1 8:10 AM ET

T. Woods / P. Mickelson vs. C. Montgomerie / P. Harrington


MATCH 2 8:25 AM ET

D. Love III / C. Campbell vs. D. Clarke / M.A. Jiménez


MATCH 3 8:40 AM ET

C. Riley / S. Cink vs. P. McGinley / L. Donald


MATCH 4 8:55 AM ET

D. Toms / J. Furyk vs. S. Garcia / L. Westwood

Any predictions?

 

[Kissophile]

After watching a portion of the opening ceremony, I have a question for our counterparts from across the pond. Why was a segment of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony played as the Scottish national anthem? I gather from a bit of googling that Scotland prefers to not use "God Save the Queen," and that no official anthem has been selected - but why use a decidedly German piece of music?

 

[Kissophile]

Any predictions?

Here are mine:

Mickelson/Woods vs. Harrington/Montgomerie - USA 3 and 2

Campbell/Love vs. Clarke/Jimenez - Europe 4 and 3

Cink/Riley vs. Donald/McGinley - USA 1 up

Furyk/Toms vs. Garcia/Westwood - halved

 

[Cathleen]

Here are mine:

Mickelson/Woods vs. Harrington/Montgomerie - USA 3 and 2

Campbell/Love vs. Clarke/Jimenez - Europe 4 and 3

Cink/Riley vs. Donald/McGinley - USA 1 up

Furyk/Toms vs. Garcia/Westwood - halved

Hi Kisso -

My predictions.....

Mickelson/Woods vs. Harrington/Montgomerie - USA 2 and 1

Campbell/Love vs. Clarke/Jimenez - Europe definitely - #'s??

Cink/Riley vs. Donald/McGinley - toss up here - I'll say halved

Furyk/Toms vs. Garcia/Westwood - USA 1 up


In my wager with Wanderer (we picked 2 from each team) I have Mickelson and Woods and Harrington Montgomerie, so I know I'm starting behind the eight ball!! lol

Wanderer picked Love and DiMarco and Garcia and Donald. Person with the most points wins - what we don't know yet. I have to come up with an idea before start time tomorrow!

 

[wanderer2704]

I vote for a visit to what we Americans often call the 19th hole.

Make mine three fingers of a decent single malt and I'll pick up the first round.

I've not read the Mark James book, though I understand he managed to keep his bitterness to a modest level. One does have to admire the quality of play that afternoon, even if the premature (and somewhat immature) celebration did diminish the image of the American players and their partners.

You are right about Mark James book he was very restrained, if I had been him the book would have been very different as I would not have been able to control my anger. Any way as far as I am concerned that is all in the past and we have all learnt our lessons from that day.

The 19th hole is the same in Britain by the way.

 

[wanderer2704]

Adventure Golf!!

Sounds like crazy golf to me, but strangely familiar!

 

[wanderer2704]

US Television Coverage Schedule:

Television Coverage
The Ryder Cup Matches are one of the most extensively televised events in the world, with more than 27 hours of coverage by NBC, USA Network and Sky Television (Europe). The times listed below are broadcast hours within the United States, Eastern Standard Time.

Opening Ceremonies
Thursday, September 16, 2004
USA Network 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
The Golf Channel - 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.


Ryder Cup Matches
Friday, September 17, 2004
USA Network - 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.


Ryder Cup Matches
Saturday, September 18, 2004
NBC - 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.


Ryder Cup Matches
Sunday, September 19, 2004
NBC - 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.


Closing Ceremonies
Sunday, September 19, 2004
The Golf Channel - immediately following play


Television Coverage
UK

SKY SPORTS 1 16-Sep-04 20:30 23:30 Preview & Opening Ceremonies
SKY SPORTS 1 17-Sep-04 12:00 23:30 Live
BBC 2 17-Sep-04 23:35 1:35 Highlights: Day 1
SKY SPORTS 1 18-Sep-04 12:00 23:30 Live
BBC 1 18-Sep-04 12:10 13:00 Repeat
BBC 2 18-Sep-04 23:30 1:30 Highlights: Day 2
SKY SPORTS 1 19-Sep-04 16:00 23:30 Live
BBC 2 19-Sep-04 15:00 16:00 Repeat
BBC 2 19-Sep-04 23:00 1:00 Highlights: Day 3
SKY SPORTS 1 20-Sep-04 16:30 18:30 "How the Ryder Cup was won"
SKY SPORTS 2 20-Sep-04 21:30 23:30 "How the Ryder Cup was won"

It is 9:30 a.m (BST) just a little less than 4 hours before the first fourball tees off. Sky Sports are showing a 4 hour ryder cup special prior to the start. The build up is fantastic over here and I hope it is just as good there too.

Come on Europe

 

[wanderer2704]

Thanks for pointing out this thread, Cate.

I'm very happy that the Ryder Cup has become more competitive. Otherwise, we might have ended up playing the entire world and that would be a shame...a Ryder Cup team with no British players

Tony, I wondered how long it would be before you posted here. Glad to see you and also glad to see that you have not lost any of your sense of humour recently!

I must admit I am very surprised that more people from either the States or Europe have not posted on this thread.

 

[wanderer2704]

The two best players would be Vijay and Tiger right now. But I'd go for the two best strategists and I'd have to think long and hard on that.

Hey don't forget Ernie Ells - one of the best players in the world at the moment who chooses to play his golf principally on the European Tour.

 

[Admiral Horatio]

After watching a portion of the opening ceremony, I have a question for our counterparts from across the pond. Why was a segment of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony played as the Scottish national anthem? I gather from a bit of googling that Scotland prefers to not use "God Save the Queen," and that no official anthem has been selected - but why use a decidedly German piece of music?

I thought the scots usually had scotland the brave as their anthem, but too tell you the truth one does not particularly care what they have, just so long as we get to hear god save the queen.

Good morning all, you've got to love that first four ball match, a real battle of the titans.....Go on Monty!

 

[wanderer2704]

After watching a portion of the opening ceremony, I have a question for our counterparts from across the pond. Why was a segment of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony played as the Scottish national anthem? I gather from a bit of googling that Scotland prefers to not use "God Save the Queen," and that no official anthem has been selected - but why use a decidedly German piece of music?

First of all you have to understand that I am English (in that I was born in England of English parents). England as you are aware is a country within Great Britain, the Scots (and the Welsh) recently got their own assemblies (parliaments) to which some political power was devolved. The celtic nations believe, I think in their own National identity more than a lot of English people - I myself actually think of myself as British first and English second. That said the European team obviously consists of a number of different countries and I understand why the different anthems were played. I didn't see the ceremony but I would be surprised if "God Save the Queen" was played for the English team - I would have expected "Land of Hope and Glory" which is the traditional English Anthem. As far as Beethoven's Ninth goes for the Scottish players I would be very surprised if that is what was played but I can not for the life of me think what they normally have. If it comes to me I will let you know.

 

[wanderer2704]

Hi Kisso -

My predictions.....

Mickelson/Woods vs. Harrington/Montgomerie - USA 2 and 1

Campbell/Love vs. Clarke/Jimenez - Europe definitely - #'s??

Cink/Riley vs. Donald/McGinley - toss up here - I'll say halved

Furyk/Toms vs. Garcia/Westwood - USA 1 up


In my wager with Wanderer (we picked 2 from each team) I have Mickelson and Woods and Harrington Montgomerie, so I know I'm starting behind the eight ball!! lol

Wanderer picked Love and DiMarco and Garcia and Donald. Person with the most points wins - what we don't know yet. I have to come up with an idea before start time tomorrow!

Here are my predictions

Mickelson/Woods vs. Harrington/Montgomerie - Halved

Campbell/Love vs. Clarke/Jimenez - Europe 2 & 1

Cink/Riley vs. Donald/McGinley - toss up here - I'll say halved (I agree with Cate here)

Furyk/Toms vs. Garcia/Westwood - Europe 3 & 2!

Actually Cate I don't think you are starting behind the 8 ball - whatever happens in the match invloving all your players you will get 2 points (1 point per person per win) - I could end up with nothing!

 

[Admiral Horatio]

Here are my predictions

Mickelson/Woods vs. Harrington/Montgomerie - Halved

Campbell/Love vs. Clarke/Jimenez - Europe 2 & 1

Cink/Riley vs. Donald/McGinley - toss up here - I'll say halved (I agree with Cate here)

Furyk/Toms vs. Garcia/Westwood - Europe 3 & 2!

Actually Cate I don't think you are starting behind the 8 ball - whatever happens in the match invloving all your players you will get 2 points (1 point per person per win) - I could end up with nothing!

Predictions? one supposes one should join in:
Match 1 - USA 2 &1

Match 2 - Europe 3&2

Match 3 - Europe 1 hole

Match 4 - Europe 4&3

 

[Cathleen]

Good morning to you folks. It is with deep regret that I can't stay this morning - must take my sister and her broken ankle to the doctor for casting!

I look forward to returning and claiming a few point for Team USA!

Have fun all.

 

[wanderer2704]

Good morning to you folks. It is with deep regret that I can't stay this morning - must take my sister and her broken ankle to the doctor for casting!

I look forward to returning and claiming a few point for Team USA!

Have fun all.

Cate sorry that you will miss seeing the Europeans in the lead 4-0 at the end of the first session.

 

[Cathleen]

Cate sorry that you will miss seeing the Europeans in the lead 4-0 at the end of the first session.

I am so sorry to Wanderer, and send my best wishes for the loss of your brain!

 

[wanderer2704]

I am so sorry to Wanderer, and send my best wishes for the loss of your brain!

Having just seen Monty win the first hole with a birdie 3 I wonder who it is that has lost their mind.

 

[Kissophile]

The first matches are off.

So far, the score is Nerves 7, Golfers 1