Do you have the ability to step up your game for a short period in the attempts to improve your score? As I watch some of the pros focus on their rounds, it seems that, in some instances, they can reach deep and squeeze out the extra 25 yards off the tee or an extra 15 yards with their wedge on an approach shot. Am I crazy or what?
I know that in some sports that extra shot of adrenaline will make a player run faster, jump higher or perform feats of strength. I have always accepted these amazing movements as a part of sports, but I was never convinced that golfers had that ability. Now, I am not so sure.
No-one will ever have golf under his thumb. No round ever will be so good it could not have been better. Perhaps this is why golf is the greatest of games. You are not playing a human adversary; you are playing a game. You are playing old man par. – Bobby Jones
The words of Bobby Jones ring true even today. The streak style of golf these days is a testament to legendary players like Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Ben Hogan and Arnold Palmer who dominate the game for decades. Rivalries were the backbone of professional golf. It appears the days of pure dominance is over! Continue reading →
The Solheim Cup is a biennial golf tournament for professional women golfers contested by teams representing Europe and the United States. It is named after the Norwegian-American golf club manufacturer Karsten Solheim (founded Karsten Manufacturing, better known as PING), who was a driving force behind its creation.
The inaugural Cup was held in 1990, and the event was staged in even number years until 2002, alternating years with the Ryder Cup (the equivalent men’s event). As part of the general reshuffling of team golf events after the one-year postponement of the 2001 Ryder Cup following the September 11, 2001 attacks, the Solheim Cup switched to odd-numbered years beginning in 2003.
The current holders are Europe who won for the second successive time at Colorado Golf Club, Colorado, USA in 2013. The 2015 Solheim Cup being held at Golf Club St. Leon-Rot in Baden-Württemberg, Germany is in the books.
The format for the Solheim Cup is similar to the Ryder Cup, but abbreviated. The cup is played over three days. There have been 28 matches—eight alternate-shot foursomes, eight best ball matches, and 12 singles on the final day. This is an exciting format and allows for all the players to demonstrate they skill under varying conditions. (Wikipedia)
This link to the LPGA, is a great read and outlines the who’s who for this year’s Cup. Each team consists of 12 players who have earned their way onto the fun event.
The first matches are finished and the score is 2 – 2. The alternate shot matches were close, and Pete at White Dragon Golf gives a great overview of the mornings events! Here is the rest of the schedule for the weekend events!
The Solheim Cup is a great head to head battle for some of the best golfers in woman’s golf. Unfortunately, I will not be able to watch the USA and Europe do battle, but I will be following as the events unfold. Good luck to both teams! However, and more importantly, the real winners will be the golfing fans!
Who will be the next USA Ryder Cup Captain will be announced mid way through the 2015 professional golf season. After the crushing defeat last year at the hands of the Europeans, the US created a task force to examine how the US team is selected (including Captains and Vice-Captains). Unwilling to accept the current trend of losing (4-10-1 since 1985), the USA is attempting to find a better way to field a winning Ryder Cup Team.
The task force was created in the wake of Europe’s victory in the 2014 Ryder Cup in Gleneagles, Scotland. In addition to Sprague and Bevacqua, its members include past captains Raymond Floyd, Tom Lehman and Davis Love III; past Ryder Cup team members Rickie Fowler, Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson, Steve Stricker and Tiger Woods; and PGA Vice President Paul Levy. Rydercup.com
I am not sure a “task force” is required to right the sinking ship, but that is the approach the PGA of America has decided to go. Given the big names involved, some unique solutions and ideas will be bantered about to find a winning solution.
From Golf Digest
I could not find an official list of candidates for the Captaincy, but the first name that popped into my mind was Freddie Couples. He would be perfect for the job. He has led the US to three wins in the President’s Cup; is a well-respected veteran; and has the perfect temperament for The Ryder Cup.
As seen from the tweet above, many big names are in agreement with my choice. Freddie Couples is an obvious candidate and with any luck he will be selected as the 2016 USA Ryder Cup Captain!
Congratulations to the European Ryder Cup team for winning this year’s premier golfing event 16.5 to 11.5. As predicted, the underdog US Team could not overcome the consistent play of the Europeans. The last day of the Ryder Cup is by far the most exciting. The singles matches are as much a chess game as it is a golfing match. The slightest error can have cascading effects on the outcome. However, heading into the final day down 4 points, the US team could not rise to the challenge of defeating a stronger team.
Earlier, I predicted that the European team would win. My choices were made through analysis and research. I generally vote for any team Phil Mickelson is on, but this time the cards were stacked against that choice. As it turned out, my prediction was correct. This morning, just for fun, I made predictions on the singles matches. Here is how I made out:
Jordan Spieth 2 and 1 – Graeme McDowell won.
Henrick Stenson 1 up – Patrick Reed won.
Rickie Fowler 3 and 2 – Rory McIlroy won.
Justin Rose 2 and 1 – Havled
Phil Mickelson 1 up – Phil Mickelson won.
Martin Kaymer 3 and 2 – Martin Kaymer won.
Matt Kuchar 2 and 1 – Matt Kuchar won.
Sergio Garcia 1 up – Sergio Garcia won.
Ian Poulter 1 up – Halved
Keegan Bradley 1 up – Jamie Donaldson won.
Jimmy Walker 2 and 1 – Jimmy Walker won.
Victor Dubuisson 4 and 3 – Halved.
So my total was 5 matches correct, 4 wrong and 3 a push. Well just over 50 percent is not a bad track record considering the variables for selecting a winner are….well….astronomical. Picking winners in golf does pose great challenges for most golfing pundits and regardless of the results, it is fun to do.
Many people are talking about the strategy employed by the US Team. Additionally, reports about Phil Mickelson and Tom Watson having a disagreement,is making headlines.The only thing I can say is that you win and lose as a team. Finger pointing, or at least the perception of finger pointing, is not productive and as such I have no further comment on that matter.
Through my readings, I have found some great articles I would like to share. They talk about gifs, wrap-ups, and in-depth articles about the Ryder Cup. They are quite interesting and are worth the read.
The 2014 Ryder Cup is in the books. The media hype, the golfing frenzy, and the tale of David and Goliath is over. The best player from each team was Justin Rose (Europe) and Patrick Reed (US). They approached the game differently, but in their own way showed that competing at this pinnacle event is challenging, rewarding and most of all fun. Because if it isn’t fun, what is the point!
I am a grateful golfer! See you all at Hazeltine in 2016!
Congratulations to the 2014 Ryder Cup Champions – Europe!
The Grateful Golfer 