Yes, this is a political blog so I’m not exactly on-point with what I have to say. On the other hand anyone reading this knows the initial ETTD, as in Everything Trump Touches Dies. Trumpty as we know loves golf and is the Golf Cheater-in-Chief. His cheating is legendary. It also OFFENDS him that regular folks are allowed to play a game he believes should be “aspirational” (yes, he said that once) and only for the rich, or at least very, very well-to-do. Trumpty decided HE was going to ensure success for the U.S. Ryder Cup team by showing up at the event. It’s not working out that way. Not even close.
In fact, the United States team is seeing it ass being whipped by the European team in what could turn out to be the biggest beat-down in modern Cup history. Trump made a big show of stomping around the event yesterday but today he’s nowhere to be found! Let me set the stage for you. If you’re not into golf, the Ryder Cup is held every two years and from rather humble beginnings as a friendly exhibition between U.S. and Great Britain and Ireland golfers about a hundred years ago now one of the world’s biggest sporting spectacles. The teams from the two sides would play three days in several formats.
The first two days featured four morning matches of alternate shot. Two guys from each side’s team would literally play each hole with one player teeing off and his partner playing the ball for the next shot until the hole was completed. They also had to alternate who would take the tee shot from hole to hole. It’s the most challenging of the formats for reasons I won’t bore you with, and traditionally the Europeans have been better at it.
The afternoon sessions on Friday and Saturday are what’s called ‘four-ball.’ Four teams of two players from each side tee up their own ball on each hole and play away. It still requires teamwork but less so than alternate shot. Sunday is singles day, where each player plays their own match against someone from the other team. Twelve in all. Even after 1978 it was considered the best format for the American team. Captains can’t ‘hide’ a weaker player(s) by sitting them out of the sessions on the first two days which had sometimes happened with the European team.
In the end, each of the 28 matches are worth one point each. If after 18 holes a match is tied each team gets a half point. With me so far? The the first team to get to 14 1/2 points wins the Cup. If after all the matches are played the score is 14-14 the team currently holding the Cup keeps it for another two years.
The U.S. had dominated the Cup for most of it’s history given the largest and strongest professional tour was here. Yes, Europe had its own tour but it was near the level of competition on our side of the pond. Also since it was us vs. GB&I we had a much larger pool of golfers available. Some of golf’s legends led by Jack Nicklaus lobbied to expand the even into a U.S. vs. Europe event. By the end of the 1980s and some raucous and fierce competitions the days of our dominance were over. And ‘home field’ advantage with the ever increasing and loud (and profane) crowds became a factor. It’s been damned tough for us to win over in Europe and vice-versa.
Now add it the teamwork aspect. While some of the top European players live here and play on the PGA tour the smaller European tour has had a feel like the old PGA tour used to with players finishing one event, getting their cars and driving to the next event. Often staying in the same hotel/motel. Their players play more of their events than ours do so they have more personal friendships. Few of their players make anything like the money top PGA players earn and that forms another bond. They aren’t as spoiled as our guys are. Finally, the Ryder Cup is everything to them. OUR guys think it’s kind of cool but got all pissy about not getting paid, or enough perks.
As one of countless athletes who played high school and college sports I dreamed of putting on a USA uniform and representing my country. Getting PAID for the honor never crossed my mind. Just the travel to an event and getting to keep a jersey or warmup suit would have been more than enough compensation. Our Ryder Cup guys? Like I said they got pissy about not getting paid. And it’s gotten ugly. Hell, the European Captain Luke Donald, as classy as they come taunted us during his remarks in the opening ceremony. Some of the big European names including Rory McElroy said they’d PAY for the privilege of representing Europe. The thing is they mean it. Over here those of us who golf dream of sinking the winning put at the U.S. Open. Over there the dream (that starts in childhood) is sinking the putt to clinch the Ryder Cup.
So yes, I’ve got a problem with the spoiled ass rich brats on Team USA. I’ve also got a problem with their universal Trump worship. He wasn’t actually invited to attend this years Ryder Cup underway at the famed Bethpage Black public course on Long Island. But only because of the logistics of all the extra security. They are spoiled, but most recognize pissing off New York sports fans isn’t the way to have the home crowd on their side! But, at least as far as I know to the last man on the team they are staunch Trump supporters and the like him being there because they thought it might amp up the crowd which would have plenty of well off fans. Ticket prices were through the roof at $750 a pop and concessions (twenty bucks for a regular ole beer?) too. Average folks simply wouldn’t be able to afford it but Long Island is Trump territory with lots of folks who could.
Which brings me to what a debacle this all is and why Trump is nowhere to be seen today. Wherever the hell is is. The U.S. team was nearing the end of an ass whupping in the morning session yesterday as Trumpty had Air Force One do a low flyover of the course. When it was done we’d LOST the session 3-1. On our own turf. Ouch. But Trumpty was coming to SAVE THE DAY! We do have a highly talented team including the World #1 golfer who’s had an other-worldly season. With Trumpty on hand all would be well and WE would win the afternoon four-ball session 3-1 or maybe even 4-0!
We did a little, and I mean little better in the afternoon but lost two matches, won one and managed a tie in another. They didn’t make up ANY ground. So much for ‘Trump the Rescuer. This morning was a repeat of yesterday morning with Europe winning three matches and the U.S. winning only one. Going into the afternoon fourballs we were down FIVE points. I tuned in earlier and have kept checking in. As of this moment the BEST we can do since Europe has already won two of the matches is manage to keep the margin at five heading into tomorrow’s singles. The problem with that is that we are behind in one match and tied in another. It’s not a stretch to think Europe will have a six or even seven point lead by the end of the day.
No team has ever overcome a deficit that large on Sunday. Not even with 12T matches (and points) taking place. The largest deficit overcome on a Sunday has been four points and that’s only happed twice. I just looked and now the score stands at 10.5 points for Europe and only 3.5 for Team USA. We are down, albeit by one hole in one match and tied in the other. Europe is likely to get at least a half point, more likely one and possibly even two. It’s still possible we could get another one or one and a half points. Even two although I don’t see it happening. It’s over. The only question is how badly we’ll get our butts whipped.
I’m being snarky about all this because Trump has spent so much of his time since entering politics crapping all over a marvelous game that is over six hundred years old. A sustained “Grow the Game” initiative was underway when he entered politics and his bullshit about the game should be “aspirational” and not available to regular folks like me stopped it cold. Same with an even older Tiger Woods initiative meant to bring not just regular folks but poor kids into the game. When was the last time any golfer who’s read all this heard his First Tee program mentioned?
Trump is killing a wonderful game. And he’s killed the U.S Teams chances of winning back the Ryder Cup. He might wind up having ruined it entirely. ETTD.
Maybe I’m not thinking right, but if golf is to be “aspirational”, tRump is the last person that should be included. But of course, words mean what he wants them to mean. silly me
Given that Trump’s vocabulary is that of a 4th-grader, “aspirational” is clearly a word he borrowed without bothering to learn its meaning. I suggest it means that he “aspires” to be accepted in polite society but knows damn well that golf cheats NEVER get invited in.
Since he thinks average folks don’t deserve to get to play, I’d say he is trying to make the game ASSpirational.
The American spectators at the Ryder Cup have behaved atrociously, so much so that law enforcement had to be called in to stand between the crowd and Rory McIlroy. Oh, and a masters of ceremonies was fired after she decided to join in on the vulgar taunts. Just another day in Trump’s America. And since it occurred in New York, a blue state, he will likely blame Democrats.
Players on both sides have come to expect rowdy crowds to cross the line as a day goes on and more beer is consumed. However as was talked about in the aftermath of yesterday the line has been that once a player goes into their shot routine fans pipe down until AFTER the shot has been hit. Then players are fine with assholes being assholes and it takes something truly sick and vicious for them (or the host player they’re competing against) to ask officials and even LE to intervene.
As for blaming the ugliness on Democrats don’t put up with ANY of that bullshit from Trump or MAGAs you know. The U.S. Players all like and support Trump. They didn’t formally invite him because the logistics of an event of this magintude are complicated enough without having to deal with the security nightmare. But they were welcoming as were the fans. Trump’s attended a number of sporting events this year and until Friday while some fans cheered there were also plenty who chose to boo him and the video proof is there.
I didn’t want any part of seeing Trump strut around but unless I’m mistaken for the first time there wasn’t clear, audible booing or any signs telling him to go away, or anti-Trump outfits etc. Point out clips of people booing Trump at other events and challenge those who say the ugliness from U.S. fans were Democrats by telling them to PROVE there were throngs of anti-Trump fans as in showing clips of Trump getting booed.
I haven’t paid the slightest bit of attention to this year’s Ryder Cup, mainly because I came to the conclusion some ten years back that the PGA is filled with overpaid, obnoxious rightwing assholes. I used to watch some and root for the Europeans, but I couldn’t even do that after a while. As for the deranged orange narcissistic turd, he’s reason enough for anyone to give up the game.
Add in many took the blood money from the Saudis to whitewash their crime of brutality killing a US CITIZEN AND JOURNALIST. Like they need money, making more in a weekend than a working class family ever. At least Rory didn’t take the money. Neither did Tiger. I respect them for that. Phuck the rest of them, I don’t care what team they’re on.
The taunting of the crowd is unconscionable. IMO: I hope Europe whomps ass today. The chants of USA just don’t mean the same thing right now. Patriotism – bull shit. Bullying – you bet. It has become 47’s America and it’s not mine.