[Rich Goodale]

Mark

As I said above, if any of Knost's slightly twitchy (ADHD?) behavior was off-putting, the person who should have had a quiet word with Knost should have been his opponent.  That his opponent (presumably a very experienced match-play golfer, at very high levels) didn't say anything tells me that it wasn't off-putting, except for Brown and Allis, who were cheerleading all the way.

What bothered me more was the lack of a roar from the crowd on the 18th when Moore hit one of the greatest shots ever in the history of international competition.  What were those privileged spectators there for--to watch and applaud great golf, or just to hope that the lions would be devoured by the christians?

[Tom Birkert]

I thought Knost was out of order, but more so on 17 (I think) than 18. I’m referring to the occasion when he was stood about 10 feet directly right of the hole, clearly in the peripheral vision of the player taking the putt. I thought one was meant to stand still when a player is putting or playing, so I would also question his actions on 18 too. Had this happened in the Ryder Cup then there would have been a huge furore, Mr Knost would do well to brush up on his etiquette prior to turning pro because I don’t see that being too popular on the Tour.

However, it was a fantastic spectacle although I was very disappointed with Jamie Moul, who was – until recently – the number 1 ranked amateur in the world. I expected a lot more from him.

[Mark Pearce]

Rich,

I don't think the crowd did roars, enthusiastic applause was about as far as it went.  Moore's shot was, I agree, very special.

Of course Willett could have spoken to Knost but that could have been even more distracting, in the circumstances, than trying to ignore it.

[Rich Goodale]

Mark

If Knost only adopted this behavior on the 17th, I would agree with you.  However, from what I saw, he was a bundle of nerves both days.  If there was a problem, Willett (or Dalgleish, what's a Captain for, anyway?) should have said something earlier.  If he was in his field of vision on the 17th, just tell him to move away.  I do it all the time.

And, if Edwards had hit the shot that Moore did, you would have heard it in Dublin.  JMH(AB)O, of course...

Tom

I fully agree that a player should remain perfectly still and quiet while his competitor is preparing for a shot, and if appropriate or asked, place himself completely out of his line of vision.

If and when Knost goes pro, he will learn the proper etiquette very quickly.  If not, he could go the way of Gordon Sherry, who's very promising career floundered and never recovered, from several breaches of etiquette in his early days on the Euro Tour.

Rich

[Mark Pearce]

I wonder how players can reach the very top of the amateur game and not understand etiquette.  I gather that Richie Ramsay has a number of etiquette issues and that was one of the issues that led to him being tipped off very early that he would not be selected for the Walker Cup, we'll see how he gets on as a pro, though I guess that at least one multiple major winner has already had a frank exchange of views with Ramsey regarding his on course behaviour.

Shouldn't a player as good as Knost obviously is (and Ramsey) have played enough golf, with enough people, to not need telling not to move when your opponent is putting, or stand near the line of his putt, or swear violently and frequently?

[Tom Birkert]

I was not aware of Gordon Sherry's breaches of etiquette. Was it do with being the size of a yeti so that his barge like feet were causing the greens to suffer?!

Richie Ramsay has got a very bad reputation over here. I believe I am correct in saying he has been banned from at least one club in Scotland due to bad behaviour, and from what little I have seen of Knost I'm not impressed by his actions.

That said, there was some fabulous golf on display (as well as some shocking shots!). It was a great contest.

[Tom Dunne]

Speaking of shocking shots, I am really hoping the one of the player (American, I think?) doing a 360* after blasting out of the deep stuff on a severe uphill lie makes it to youtube. It was a total helicopter shot. I had just walked in the room and my jaw dropped.

Feeling very stupid that I didn't record the coverage, but I did catch Moore's shot on 18. It was brilliant--the camera caught the ball's flight perfectly.
 

[Rich Goodale]

Mark

I agree fully, but obviously somebody, including but not limited to family, friends and golf officials, have been asleep on the job.  My guess is that the possibility of being associated with "greatness" affects many people's moral compasses for the worse.

Tom

Sherry's major faux pas was trodding on the "through line" (i.e. the bit of the green where a player might have to putt from if he misses his first putt long).  It may seem silly to us, but this is a big thing with the "These Guys are Good" gang.  And, you are probably right in deducing that his 6' 6" 245 lb. frame and size 16 shoes may have exacerbated the problem.

rich

[Tom Birkert]

The BBC’s coverage of the Walker Cup was shocking in my opinion. They had the opportunity to showcase one of the great sporting events on one of the great golf courses, and they didn’t even show the entire day’s play on either Saturday or Sunday. In addition we had to suffer Gary Wolstenholme offering his insights on the play.

I do like some of the blimp shots that are prevalent in US coverage. It enables one to see how the holes adjoin and sit with each other. It’s something I think that would enhance coverage of The Open.

The best TV shot of the weekend was the blimp shot of Tiger’s huge, high, cut 3 wood on the 11th at Cog Hill. How can a 3 wood go that high and be made to back up when it lands??

[Mark Pearce]

Tom,

There was continuous coverage of the whole caboodle on interactive.  And actually the footage of Moore's shot to the 18th from behind was pretty fantastic.

But Wolstenholme was awful and Peter Alliss is a caricature of himself.  BBC golf coverage desperately needs revitalising and of the current crew I'd only keep Ken Brown.

[Brent Hutto]

The best TV shot of the weekend was the blimp shot of Tiger’s huge, high, cut 3 wood on the 11th at Cog Hill. How can a 3 wood go that high and be made to back up when it lands??

Copious clubhead speed. There is no substitute.

I'll bet there are only a couple hundred people in the world who can swing a driver as hard as Tiger can swing a 3-wood. And few if any of them can apply it cleanly to a ball sitting on the ground. And none of those can do it with exactly the correct cut spin to hit that shot.

[Ed Tilley]

Tom,

There was continuous coverage of the whole caboodle on interactive.  And actually the footage of Moore's shot to the 18th from behind was pretty fantastic.

But Wolstenholme was awful and Peter Alliss is a caricature of himself.  BBC golf coverage desperately needs revitalising and of the current crew I'd only keep Ken Brown.

I didn't see Saturday's play and only the back end of Sunday morning (and all afternoon). My biggest gripe, as a massive RCD fan, is that we only really saw the last 6 or 7 holes. The best opening 9 in the game was therefore hardly featured. I assume this was due to budgetary constraints - the BBC are not going to spend money covering all the holes for an amateur tournament.

[Tom Birkert]

Tom,

There was continuous coverage of the whole caboodle on interactive.  And actually the footage of Moore's shot to the 18th from behind was pretty fantastic.

But Wolstenholme was awful and Peter Alliss is a caricature of himself.  BBC golf coverage desperately needs revitalising and of the current crew I'd only keep Ken Brown.

I couldn’t find it on interactive for love nor money. I wanted to watch the singles on Sunday afternoon but at 3 I was stuck with downhill mountain biking and after going through the red button malarkey I couldn’t find it so had to wait until 4pm.

I second the comments about only seeing the last few holes, very annoying.

I probably should keep my thoughts about Alliss to myself suffice to say I think he, like Motson with football, should have gone a long time ago. Faldo would have been perfect but he’s now tied to the US. I like Ken Brown and think Darren Clarke would be an interesting option in due course.

[Rich Goodale]

Fully agree, Ed.  The front 9 is about a 12 on the Doak scale and the back nine an 8.  We got to see the "8."  Thank god the golf was great.  Maybe if the BBC had phone-in contests, like they do on Blue Peter, they could fund a few more cameras and a better announcing crew.  For example:

"In which of the following countries is Royal County Down located?

a.  Greenland
b.  The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (including County Down)
c.  Minnesota

Call 0800-555-666.  All calls will be charged 75p, with the proceeds going to the Gary Wolstenhome/Peter Alice retirement fund."

Or something like that........

[Mark Pearce]

To get it on interactive you had to press red, then blue, then select golf.  Not easy, I'll admit.....

[Tom Birkert]

To get it on interactive you had to press red, then blue, then select golf.  Not easy, I'll admit.....

Far too complicated for me after a large night at Annabel's!!

In all seriousness, I could not find it despite pressing pretty much every button combination under the sun.

[Brian_Ewen]

The thing was not all of the "red button" golf was on terrestrial (Freeview) TV .

A few years back , after another moaning e-mail to the BBC about their treatment of Golf compared to other sports , I actually got a reply from the Head of BBC Sport . He probably wishes he hadnt as he had another 3 e-mails from me this past weekend !

Tom , I am puzzled at what you are referring to , about Richie Ramsay being banned from at least one Scottish Club . Are you referring to the Palmer Cup incident , or ?

Richies problem is that he gets a little animated after shots , good or bad it would seem . The Golfers that "had a word with him" are no angels themselves.

[Kevin_Reilly]

Surprised no comments on Buddy Marucci's viewing position for Jonathan Moore's putt on 17...sitting on the green about 20 feet from the cup with his head down, cap covering his face.  Not sure if he was in Moore's sight's, though I think Moore was facing him.

[JC Jones]

Surprised no comments on Buddy Marucci's viewing position for Jonathan Moore's putt on 17...sitting on the green about 20 feet from the cup with his head down, cap covering his face.  Not sure if he was in Moore's sight's, though I think Moore was facing him.

I was just going to post something about that.  I was shocked.  He had to have been within Moore's sight and he was easily inside 20 feet.  Why the hell was he sitting ON the green in the first place, looking as though his life depended on the putt, all for Moore to look at while he tried to make a downhill left to right putt to win the Walker Cup.

Absolutely amazing.

[Kalen Braley]

Is Jonathon Moore American or Canadian ?

American, Brian.  I know you Euros aren't terrible knowledgeable about world geography, but I'll concede that this is a tricky one.  Jonathan is from Vancouver, Washington, which is a suburb of Portland, Oregon.  It's about 500 miles south of that other Vancouver in Lumberjackland.

Rich

Rich

Hate to be a stickler, but you appear to be distance challenged because while it is almost 500km, its only 300 miles to the south...  

[Rich Goodale]

Is Jonathon Moore American or Canadian ?

American, Brian.  I know you Euros aren't terrible knowledgeable about world geography, but I'll concede that this is a tricky one.  Jonathan is from Vancouver, Washington, which is a suburb of Portland, Oregon.  It's about 500 miles south of that other Vancouver in Lumberjackland.

Rich

Rich

Hate to be a stickler, but you appear to be distance challenged because while it is almost 500km, its only 300 miles to the south...  

Not if you take the Coastal route, Kalen!

[Kalen Braley]

Is Jonathon Moore American or Canadian ?

American, Brian.  I know you Euros aren't terrible knowledgeable about world geography, but I'll concede that this is a tricky one.  Jonathan is from Vancouver, Washington, which is a suburb of Portland, Oregon.  It's about 500 miles south of that other Vancouver in Lumberjackland.

Rich

Rich

Hate to be a stickler, but you appear to be distance challenged because while it is almost 500km, its only 300 miles to the south...  

Not if you take the Coastal route, Kalen!

Lol...

Well I suppose you could take the east coast, coastal route and make it 6000 miles if you want to look at it that way...

But if you jump on Hwy 5, its only 300...    

[Bill_McBride]

Jonathan Moore's strike to the eighteenth to clinch the Cup will be legend.

I was standing directly behind Jonathan when he hit that stinger 4 iron 252 yards to 3 or 4 feet.  The ball never went more than 20' off the ground.  His teammates who had already finished - he was in match #7 - were right next to him and began jumping and cheering as the ball took off like a rocket.  What a shot at the time, perhaps the best I've ever seen in competition.

It was so close it was ass cheek tightening, just like 2005 at Chicago.  The Walker Cup is unbelievable, can't wait for Merion 2009.

Tomorrow I play Royal County Down at 10:50, cannot wait and tingling with anticipation.  It is maybe the finest links course I've seen - we had to settle for the Valley course at Portrush as the Dunluce was fully booked - and can't wait to play it.  A full report will follow to contrast play by the Walker Cup lads and the aging Billy Hacker.

[wsmorrison]

Does anyone other than Tom Paul know from which tournament the format was adopted for both the Walker and Ryder Cups?

[Rich Goodale]

Bill

I thought I detected your accent in the  "You da Man!" call on Moore's shot!

Wayne

The Lesley Cup?

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