Inside The Ropes At The Ryder Cup

by on Wednesday, September 29th, 2010 | No Comments

It’s countdown to the Ryder Cup and I can’t believe it was two years since I was at Valhalla.

Some of my best memories were hanging around in the team rooms at the opulent Brown’s Hotel in the heart of Louisville.

Having been given VIP tickets by my good friend Nick Faldo I made sure I cherished every moment. It really was a fly on the wall experience and I thought it would be fun to share some of my times during Ryder Cup week.

One thing that really struck in my mind is how full on the whole event is for the players and the incredible attention to detail. At one stage I went down to where the players and wives get fitted in the hotel and there were four people frantically stitching away making last minute alterations. This is unlike any other event, and I’m not sure what Samuel Ryder would make of it now. Things have certainly changed since Walter Hagen’s team beat Ted Ray’s 9½ – GB 2½ at Worcester Country Club in Massachusetts back in 1927.

It really is a frenzy of activity and you would be forgiven for thinking the players finish playing, make a few interviews and go back to the hotel to relax from early on in the evening. The truth is that it can be approaching 10pm and later before their commitments at the golf course are over. The whole week is one long media circus, more so than ever before.

The US players were on the floor above the Europeans and whilst I never went up to that floor, I did find myself in the lift with some of them, though in a way it was more fun to be with the likes of Lee Trevino and Ben Crenshaw (some of my heros from childhood) My wife Elle was more interested in speaking to Boo Weekley, and I guess we had a great way to start up a conversation because we had been speaking to his dad earlier in the day. Nice guy.

This week it will be different to a degree with the players staying on the course at Celtic Manor – there won’t be the 40 minute to an hour journey back to the hotel in Louisville. Having said that the logistics of moving in and out of the hotel will have to be staged like a military operation considering everyone including hotel and golf course staff are getting bussed in from nearby towns.

Over the weekend I spoke to someone who had volunteered to marshall on the first hole, but now having been accepted has declined because of the extra time in the day he will need and hadn’t bargained for. I don’t blame him considering he has significant commitments either side of the day he was going to marshall. In the UK it’s probably best to sit back and watch it on Sky, that’s what I will be doing!

Where will you be watching the Ryder Cup?

Back in 2008 I got the chance to ride one of the team buggies inside the ropes, I don’t suppose I will ever get a better view than that. I always remember a friend texting me the week after the Ryder Cup saying they aren’t sure, but did they really see me driving down the first hole during the Sunday singles – yep that was me. Totally surreal as you can imagine. I have a photo somewhere and will have to show you one day.

One of my fondest memories was sitting with friends on the bank behind the 14th with a view of the 15th and 16th late on the Saturday. The difference in points was yo yoing, would it be a difference of 1, 2, or 3 points at the close of play. Would the Europeans claw back to within touching distance. Those few hours really captured the excitement we come to expect and enjoy at the Ryder Cup.

As I say a lot goes into planning a Ryder Cup and behind the scenes the pressure is on to make sure everything comes together. My mate Matt Sturt has designed the course plan artwork and another great friend Ross McMurray has actually designed the golf course. I used to work with both of them back in my golf course architect days. They still have great banter in the office and I really miss that.

I last saw Ross at the Open, though to be honest I nearly missed him in the crowds as he looked more like a drowned rat on the Wednesday afternoon. The weather cleared up, but it was too late and the past champions 4 hole competition over holes 1, 2, 17 and 18 never took place. This was the event that Seve planned to play in but pulled out about a week before.

This week I would be surprised if too many players are working on swing changes or even making tweaks. Instead I imagine they are just trying to find their groove. How anyone can play under that kind of pressure I have no idea, except to say when they stand on that first tee it will be the ultimate test of their mental game.

Do you remember how well Louis Oosthuizen fared in the last round of the Open Championship at St Andrews? His mental toughness came down to his work with my friend Karl Morris about a month before the event.

Do you remember how well Louis Oosthuizen fared in the last round of the Karl is great and the first time I met him at the St Andrews Fairmont Hotel I learnt so much. We recorded everything on video and then when I got home I had one of those sinking feelings in the pit of my stomach when I realised all of our footage was too dark. To his absolute credit Karl made time to run through everything again the next day, even though he was on holiday there. Karl was a true gent

I dreaded calling him to say look we didn’t realise the indoor lighting was too dim and would he mind recording again. Lesson learnt there – always thoroughly research your location before filming. It has since turned into a life lesson, simply never underestimate the power of preparation.

Here’s to a great event

Posted in Ryder Cup Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

»
«

Leave a Reply

  • 944 Testimonials in over 4 Years

    Dear Andy,

    I must admit that I was a bit skeptical of the 4 new magic moves. I teach Biology in the US and always need proof or evidence. I downloaded the free first four chapters and tried things out for myself. I had the opportunity to try things out this weekend and my results are amazing. I was hitting my 7 iron 200 yds without effort and my driver close to 300 yds.

    Most impressive was the direction the bal, it is traveling STRAIGHT. I wish golf had been taught to me in this simple manner several years ago. It would have taken out a great deal of frustration. Thank you,

    David Walker | JTonganoxie, Kansas, USA


    Clive Haddow from the Gold Coast in Australia talks about the impact The New Four Magic Moves have made to his game. Despite playing golf for 45 years it was only until he discovered The New Four Magic Moves To Winning Golf that he was able to reduce his handicap from 9 down to 6. Without doubt the First Move, namely the early backward wrist break was the key move for Chris. Life on the Gold Coast is very good for Chris but it just got better when he discovered these four proven secrets to golf success.

    Hi Andy,

    My Name is Bobby Asbill and I live in Nashville, TN. I have always been a decent golfer shooting 82 - 86 for the last 3 years. I joined your site and program one night on a whim and here I am writing to tell you how much I have improved and thank you for helping me enjoy golf more.

    I play once a week and my last four rounds are 76-78-74-78 ...My friends are in total shock and want to know what is going on. My drives are now 310 to 320 and I now hit my LW 120 instead of 75 yards.The game is more fun now and I feel and my friends say it all the time now that I am on the verge of shooting great scores.

    I played with 3 guys at the club the other day I didn 't know and now I 'm playing in a tournament with them. They could not believe my new found length and accuracy.It feels good and just wanted to share. hank you for helping me and changing my game.

    Bobby Asbill | Nashville, TN, USA

    Dave Larsen from Wisconsin describes how The New Four Magic Moves has transformed his game. He downloaded The New Four Magic Moves To Winning Golf book 5 months ago and having read it he went straight to the golf range and his words: it changed his life, it's absolutely amazing! Dave has now increased his drives by about 50 yards and thus he finds himself hitting the ball 260 - 280 yards dead straight down the middle. His friends can't believe how well his game has improved! He still can't believe how well he is now playing with rounds around the 74 - 76 mark, far better than the 81s he used to shoot a few short months ago.

    Howdy Andy,

    I have been using the New Four Magic Moves off and on for the past 6 months with varied results, but that is my own fault as I also find myself slipping back into other ways of approaching the golf swing which has led to body and mind confusion.

    When I consistently stick to the First Magic Move, my bad swings at least result in straight shots and that is not too bad as this is far better results than lots of the other approaches to swings that create pulls, pushes slices and hooks as well as lots of topped and fat shots.

    I have been playing golf again after a 30+ year absence from the wonderful but often frustrating game. When I played before I was in my 20's and 30's and my golf swing was my own as I had neither taken lessons nor done much reading about the science and art of a gold swing. Gee, I wish I had known of the New Four Magic Moves back then.

    In summary, after playing around with at least 6 other approaches to the golf swing, I am now more convinced than ever that the New Four Magic Moves is about the only way to have a consistent golf game.

    Jerry Cook | Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, USA


    Mike Morris from the South of England talks about how he has finally found something to help his golf game at GolfSwingSecretsRevealed.com. The New Four Magic Moves have allowed him to be more confident on the golf course and he is hitting straighter and longer balls. Mike thoroughly recommends these four proven secrets to dramatically improving your handicap.


    Click Here to Find Out More About The 4 Magic Moves

Powered by Consistent Golf