Day 2 of the 2014 Ryder Cup has come and gone. The quick start by the US Team brought hope to many of their faithful followers. Unfortunately, their performance in the afternoon dampened the spirits of many US golfing fanatics.
On the flip side of the equation, the European Team did not panic after a slow start in the morning. Like Day 1, they played very well in the afternoon and now hold a commanding lead heading into the singles competition. Leading 10 to 6, the Europeans have to win 4 matches before the US wins 9 to remain Ryder Cup Champions!
If you are wondering, here is the lineup for tomorrow:
So the real question for tomorrow is whether the US team can dig deep and come out swinging. I would suggest that they need at least 4 quick wins to have a chance at winning. Closing the gap to 10-10 will even the playing field (no pun intended) and neutralize the European’s 13th player: The Fans!
If the US can pull off a miracle tomorrow, then maybe they will enter the history books as one of the greatest emotional finishes at the Ryder Cup.
I am a grateful golfer! Expecting awesome golf on Day 3!
There should be no surprise that the European Ryder Cup team is leading the US Ryder Cup Team by 2 points. After a shaky start, the Europeans rallied and scored 3.5 points in the afternoon session of Day 1. With 8 matches complete, it is time for the pundits to start second guessing the Captains and offer unsolicited advice on how to improve the team’s standing during play on Day 2. I however, do not see the value in second guessing the team Captains, but see the value in being grateful for the great golf on Day 1.
My approach might be a little altruistic, but I would not be ‘The Grateful Golfer’ if I used the US Team Captain, Tom Watson, as a punching bag. I would suggest that his game plan was solid and if not for a couple bounces here and there the score would be tied. Continuing on my positive approach to the play on Day 1, here is what I would like to share:
Rickie Fowler’s approach on the 16th hole in the afternoon was the shot of the day!
Sergio Garcia’s chip in from the sand in the morning and his stellar play in the afternoon!
Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed walked the walk!
Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose are looking like the team to beat!
The Scottish crowd was awesome! They truly understand the game of golf!
Here are some other fantastic highlights of today’s matches!
The Ryder Cup is a fantastic event. Each team understands the value of never quitting, never giving up, and grinding out a half point that could be the difference between winning and losing. The only prediction I have is that tomorrow’s play will be more of the same! Great moments, more highlights, and fantastic sportsmanship! Each of these professionals is a true gentleman whose desire to win their match is only eclipsed by their desire to win as a team!
I am a grateful golfer! I can hardly wait until tomorrow!
A nun walks into Mother Superior’s office and plunks down into a chair. She lets out a sigh heavy with frustration.
‘What troubles you, Sister ?’ asked the Mother Superior. ‘I thought this was the day you spent with your family.’‘It was,’ sighed the Sister. ‘And I went to play golf with my brother. We try to play golf as often as we can. You know I was quite a talented golfer before I devoted my life to Christ.’
‘I seem to recall that,’ said Mother Superior. ‘So I take it your day of recreation was not relaxing ?’
‘Far from it,’ snorted the Sister. ‘In fact, I even took the Lord’s name in vain today !’‘Goodness, Sister!’ gasped the Mother Superior, astonished. ‘You must tell me all about it !’
‘Well, we were on the fifth tee – and this hole is a monster, Mother -540 yard Par 5, with a nasty dogleg right and a hidden green…and I hit the drive of my life. I creamed it. The sweetest swing I ever made.
And it’s flying straight and true, right along the line I wanted…and it hits a bird in mid-flight !’
‘Oh my !’ commiserated the Mother. ‘How unfortunate. But surely that didn’t make you blaspheme, Sister !’
‘No, that wasn’t it,’ admitted Sister. ‘While I was still trying to fathom what had happened, this squirrel runs out of the woods, grabs my ball and runs off down the fairway !’
‘Oh, that would have made me blaspheme !’ sympathized the Mother.
‘But I didn’t, Mother !’ sobbed the Sister. ‘And I was so proud of myself, eh. And while I was pondering whether this was a sign from God, this hawk swoops out of the sky and grabs the squirrel and flies off, with my ball still clutched in his paws.’
‘So that’s when you cursed,’ said the Mother with a knowing smile. ‘Nope, that wasn’t it either,’ cried the Sister, anguished, ‘because as the hawk started to fly out of sight, the squirrel started struggling, and the hawk dropped him right there on the green, and the ball popped out of his paws and rolled to about 18 inches from the cup !’
Mother Superior sat back in her chair, folded her arms across her chest, fixed the Sister with a baleful stare and said . . .
“This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Payne Stewart Award, which is presented annually to a player who exemplifies Stewart’s steadfast values of character, charity and sportsmanship. Stewart, an 11-time winner on the PGA TOUR and World Golf Hall of Fame member, died tragically the week of the TOUR Championship in 1999. At the time, Southern Company was the sponsor of the event, and a year later, the PGA TOUR created the Payne Stewart Award to honor his legacy. Southern Company, the Official Energy Company of the PGA TOUR, has sponsored the award since its inception.” (PGATour.com)
Awarded on 9 September 2014, this year’s winner is Sir Nick Faldo. An accomplished golfer, Sir Nick won 39 times world-wide, which included six Major Championships. Additionally, Sir Nick holds the record for the most appearances and most points won at the Ryder Cup.
In 1996, Sir Nick launched the Faldo Series to offer opportunities to male and female golfers under the age of 21 from around the world. There are over 7,000 participants each year and this charity has produced some notable young players such as Rory McIlroy, Yani Tseng, and Nick Dougherty.
“My main reason for starting the Faldo Series was to try and give something back to the game that has given me so much.”
In 1998, Sir Nick Faldo received the Order of the British Empire. In 2009, he was invested as a Knight Bachelor for his services to golf. These are just two of the many awards Sir Nick has received through the years.
Sir Nick Faldo joins the company of great men like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Byron Nelson, and Tom Watson. All have dedicated their lives to improving the world around them and happened to use golf as their venue. However, something tells me that these great men would have used something else if golf was not available.
Congratulations to Sir Nick Faldo for being awarded the 2014 Payne Stewart Award!
Earlier this week, I had the honor of attending a golf clinic hosted by the PGA Tour Canada for the Canadian Military. Only a day before they were to compete, eight young golfing phenoms spent 1.5 hours sharing their considerable knowledge with Canadian soldiers. For the fifth time this year, the PGA Tour Canada hosted serving members to teach them how to putt, chip and drive a golf ball. It was a day to remember for most of us golfing enthusiasts!
Our 1.5 hours was broken into three 30 minute segments. Each segment consisted of putting, iron play and driving. Two of the pros, Drew Evans and Peter Campbell shared their expertise on the putting green. The rest was spread throughout the driving range. The most exciting aspect of the entire event was the close and personal attention each pro gave the player.
I was fortunate to have Drew Evans provide some putting tips. As he watched me putt, he indicated that I had a very good putting stroke. He emphasized the importance of keeping my triangle while putting. When I asked about my view of following through twice as far as the back swing, he indicated that it was a good drill for mid to high handicap players, but for lower handicappers, a smoother even putting stroke is preferred. Lastly, he suggested that I move my hands out from my body about 2 inches to keep my shoulders, wrists and putter head in a straight line…man did that make a positive difference! Thanks Drew I appreciate the help. Here are some other tips by Drew and Peter.
My next station was the driving range. I started with my 7 iron and both Adam Cornelson and Steve Carney liked what I was doing. My follow through was excellent and my contact consistent. The only thing they suggested was that I slow my back swing down to produce a smoother tempo throughout the entire swing. This will have to happen at the range as changing my tempo with my 7 iron will be difficult. I was encouraged to hear that my 7 iron was in pretty good shape.
Moving on to my driver was a slightly different story. I hit my driver 240 yards straight, 7 times out of 10. Of course, being a golfing freak, I asked how to gain 20 more yards. Drew Evans looked at my swing and told me what I already knew…no power was generated from the lower part of my body. To date I have been unable to correct this problem. Drew suggested I widen my stance. At first it felt very uncomfortable, but the results were unmistakable. I immediately gained some distance on my driver with the same consistency.
After hitting about 20 drives, Devin Daniels approached me and suggested I should slow my back swing down. He noticed that when I was trying to hit the ball hard, everything sped up and became out of sync. Additionally, he reminded me that less is more. Something I have said over and over. Swinging at 80% strength is the key to have the ball go farther! Of course it worked and now I have two things to work on at the range.
The entire day was incredible. Everyone who attended the golf clinic was very impressed by the Wildfire Golf Club, the pros knowledge and infinite patience while answering questions and the PGA Tour Canada for continuing to host the Canadian Military! After talking to the PGA Tour Canada staff, I found out that there are opportunities to caddy next year and I think I am going to give it a go!
Thank you PGA Tour Canada for continuing to support the Canadian Armed Forces!
