There’s no other way to put it; the Ryder Cup
2014 was a devastating loss for the
Americans all the way around. Not only
was the performance on the golf course a mess, but the post-Cup disclosures of
internal strife (and public displays of same) between the captain and his
charges was a public relations nightmare.
In order to avoid another embarrassing loss, the entire American
approach to the Ryder Cup must change. Simply
put, the current system with respect to overall strategy, player selection and
match preparation is broken.
I addressed the player selection process in Ryder Rx
I. Another issue is the type of formats employed in the tournament and the lack of preparation for these formats. Clearly the greatest
weakness of the American team is the alternate shot, so-called “foursomes” format. About.com defines the “foursomes” format
as “a competition format in which a team is comprised of two players, and those
two golfers alternate hitting the same ball (which is why Foursomes is also
very commonly called "alternate shot"). The
first player tees off, the second player hits the second shot, the first player
hits the third shot, and so on until the ball is holed. Players alternate
hitting tee shots so that the same player doesn't hit every drive.” The applicable USGA rule is Rule 29.
In the 2014 Ryder Cup out of a possible eight points
the Americans took home a measly one, losing 3 1/2 points to one-half
point on both afternoons. This is simply
not acceptable. American golfers have to learn how to subsume their
considerable egos and play together. (Admittedly,
the total difference between the two sides in foursomes in the six 21st
century-matches prior to 2014 was a more respectable 25 ½ points to 22 ½ for the
Americans, but still not a winning margin.)
Here’s an idea:
Find a sponsor and hold a tournament that utilizes the foursomes format
only. Like the Fedex format, hold three
tournaments, one at the beginning of the season and then two more two or three
weeks before the Ryder Cup. Instead of a
third party mandating which golfer will play with who, let the golfers themselves
decide. Let them pair themselves up (I know, a novel concept, guys playing together that actually like each other) and
see how it works under tournament conditions.
The rarity and suspense of the format would guarantee substantial
ratings. Suffice it to say that if the U.S.
pros don't practice this format they will never improve at it.
If no tournament can be established that will use
this format then let’s revisit Brandel Chamblee's brilliant suggestion of
starting a golf league in which golfers form teams to represent various cities. Use that competition as a test tube to
experiment with the various Ryder Cup formats.
Continuing to allow the marketplace/golf-industrial complex to limit American
professional golfers to stroke play competitions will simply doom them to
future disappointment in the Ryder Cup formats.
AMDGTM
© 2012-14 R.E. Kelly
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