Focus on Ryder Cup ‘mindset’
Great column today on “passion” and the American team (“Passion required for U.S. Ryder Cup reversal,” Oct. 6, GGP). Totally agree that the result wasn’t Keegan’s fault (only). He was the right type of motivator … too bad he didn’t have a team that allowed themselves to be motivated.
It is a conundrum. If I were running the show I’d bring in some psychology and minimize rankings/metrics. They clearly didn't work. Design an assessment that can deliver the right “Ryder Cup mindset” and go with the 12 guys that score the highest.
Clearly Cam Young had no problem with the big stage. What went on in his head? Give me more like him. How many times are we going to scratch our heads after the “best players in the world” disappoint?
Jay Helgren
Plymouth, Minnesota
Bring back Azinger
In today’s column (“Passion required for U.S. Ryder Cup reversal,” Oct. 6, GGP), you omitted one person in your list of potential Ryder Cup captains for the U.S. Paul Azinger was excellent and created a mold that no one seems to be able to follow. Shouldn’t he be on your list of potential captains?
Ray Nasser
Midlothian, Virginia
Enact consequence beyond ejection
Like many, I was not pleased with the behavior of the crowds at Bethpage (“PGA officials apologize amid crowd fiasco fallout,” Oct. 6, GGP). For spectators who are out of control it should go beyond just an ejection from the grounds. The governing bodies should band together for the good of the game.
Establish a list of people ejected from an event and prohibit them from ever attending another tournament/buying a ticket to an event on any tour going forward. If they obtained the ticket from a third party then ban the original purchaser as well. You are also responsible for the behavior of your invitee.
The Masters already does this and I have had to sign a personal responsibility and liability statement for tickets I’ve been given to use before by whoever owned the passes. Perhaps this would make people think a bit longer before they cross the line on their behavior.
Jim Bradley
Jacksonville, Florida
A self-policing solution
One factor on fan behaviour (“PGA officials apologize amid crowd fiasco fallout,” Oct. 6, GGP) has been overlooked in the 12 hours of Ryder Cup podcasts I studiously listened to: It’s the absence of children and families on the course.
If the good and mighty can see their way to have “affordable” family or children tickets for Friday through Sunday, this might help the crowd in self-policing the lunatics … works in other sports.
On the minus side for some, it undoubtedly will throw the rationale of a lads-only Ryder Cup weekend into doubt.
Kieran Kearney
Strassen, Luxembourg
Ryder Cup got the mess it wanted
A hearty “amen” for your important thoughts (“Divot: A policy about nothing,” Oct. 6, GGP).
In my mind, this behavior has been enabled by the PGA [of America] and the PGA Tour in an effort to generate maximum ticket sales. All in the name of “trying to grow the game.” They are culpable.
They constantly promoted the difficulty of playing the Ryder Cup in front of New York-area fans for the Europeans. That in itself is an invitation for misconduct. And as you precisely point out, with no enforcement of bad behavior. What did they expect? You wanted a WWE event, and you got one.
Years ago, Bethpage was supposedly chosen to be a U.S. Open site so the USGA could bring the Open to a public golf course, thus sending a positive signal. The real reason they brought it to Bethpage is so they could jam in as many fans as humanly possible and sell tickets. When you put that many fans on a golf course, and you are selling alcohol all day long, what do you expect?
One last thought. Do we really need all of the nonsense at the Phoenix Open? The PGA Tour is culpable for that mess. Yes, this kind of behavior does have appeal to a segment that wouldn’t otherwise buy a ticket, so they are growing the game. But at what cost to the civility and dignity normally associated with our great game?
The good news is that our friends at Augusta National will be the last guardian of golf etiquette, and ensure that our game continues with the values of ladies and gentlemen behaving like ladies and gentlemen.
Jon Hickey
Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania
Hitting a new low
Two words, maybe three – “Amen” and “Thank you” (“Divot: A policy about nothing,” Oct. 6, GGP).
Our national character continues to find new lows. Thank you for your courage in writing this article and for the hard truth you delivered if we are really committed to making a difference.
Tom Rutter
Telford, Pennsylvania
PGA abdicated responsibility
You are spot on (“Divot: A policy about nothing,” Oct. 6, GGP).
The PGA leadership team that had no plan to deal with out-of-control fans and took no responsibility for the obvious outcome needs to be replaced. Augusta is the model. You break any rule there and you’re gone. No questions asked, no excuses allowed.
Being a fan is great but what happened needs to be prevented in the future. It’s not that hard. Frankly, if I was there and paid that kind of money to watch the competition, I would be [angry] these guys ruined it for me.
Bob Schneider
Bothell, Washington
Welcome to New York
I couldn’t agree with you more regarding etiquette at the Ryder Cup (“Divot: A policy about nothing,” Oct. 6, GGP). What was the PGA thinking when they chose New York in the first place? The boorish New York fans were a global embarrassment to the U.S. And the denials and justifications just made things worse.
I have often said that every tournament should be run like the Masters.
Bob Coates
Pinehurst, North Carolina
Spare the rod, spoil the brats
Correct (“Divot: A policy about nothing,” Oct. 6, GGP)! The PGA carries a big stick but doesn’t know how to use it.
Manni Newell
London, Ontario, Canada
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