The Ryder Cup: TMZ meets The Golf Channel
Every Ryder Cup since it’s creation in 1927, has spotlighted the finest players in the game. Played on historical, spectacular venues in America and Europe, the level of competition is at it’s highest. For the blue blood, life-long amateur and country club member, the event was the only professional match that came close to the civility of the gentile, stuffy amateur game of Bobby Jones and Bill Campbell. Historically America ran over the then Great Brits for years on end until Jack Nicklaus had a great suggestion: USA versus Europe, that’s only fair, right? PGA Tour versus the European Tour. The talent pool was expanding and not just in the States, it was exploding in Europe.
So, I think it is the sign of the times that the media exposes every possible nuance of the team, the relationships, the personal rivalries, slights and gamesmanship, you name it… Hollywood style! I do get a kick out of the Golf Channel anchors who report the bs as reporting such news like they are breaking your regularly scheduled programming like Walter Cronkite did for the Kennedy assassination. Actually the news is of no more importance than who in Hollywood is divorcing whom or who is going into rehab! Seriously! Who cares? Isn’t it the golf that matters? The beauty of competition between the best of the best? The history of the event? Does the paparazzi style sport reporting have any place
I’m curious of your thoughts. Does the media coverage go over the top? Do you find it over-hyped? Do you prefer a little more mystery about player’s motivations, team chemistry etc.?