Has the idea ever been discussed?  

If not, maybe we could start something?  

James

Great idea! An "official" event would be outstanding. I give this two thumbs up!!

David, Michael & Rich.

America vs Europe (possibly Rest of the World).

I would initially say that the proposed GCA Ryder Cup matches should be staged at the respective Ryder Cup courses, but then again, the £/$ might factor into the equation.

I can't see any reason why we couldn't go elsewhere and maybe play a different course for each of the days?

I'm sure there are some fine alternatives in both countries  

Can I be so bold as to start the selction process on this forum?  If we start getting responses, I will note the teams down.  I suppose 12 a side would be ideal but, maybe in reality that might be difficult.  

Looking to play the Official matches in say late 2004/early 2005?  Course suggestions please.

So, For the Europeans/Rest of the world

James J.S. Edwards

James,

Small logistical issue, the US Ryder Cup courses are private.  I know we have one very infrequent poster who is a member of Oakland Hills but I cannot fathom how he could get 24 guests on his course.  Plum is a much better option (Hosted the '43 Ryder Match).

I think restricting it to 12 a side is, uh, restrictive.  Like the King's Putter, allow as many to play as can come and split up the teams in some kind of manner, with a few switching sides to balance things out.  Handicaps preferred so matches are fairer or match people up with similar handicaps.  Anchor with the pros facing off.

how about over 40 vs. under 40??!!

As an American living in Scotland I reserve the right to play for whichever team is most likely to win and/or offers me the most appearance money.  Captain Kelly, the ball is in your court.......

The ball is in my court? What game are we playing here?

I'm sorry to report that we patriate Americans do not offer "appearance money." (Ironic, no, in a land obsessed with appearances?)

On the other hand, we are WINNERS through and through. (Just ask us!)

So, Rich, you are most welcome to play on the American team -- provided you promise not to use any of those quaint Scottish expressions of yours, which would threaten to disrupt our fierce American concentration!

Capt. K.

3/12/70 for me....bring it on old man!!

Capn. Dan

One of those quaint Scottish expressions you like so much is "money."  As we have little of the real thing over here, we broaden its use to include all sorts of "in kind" emoluments--courtesy cars, free range balls, twofers at the local Hungry Heiffer, on-call Swedish Masseuse, etc.  Ask Huckaby about the package he gave me to play on the NorCal team in the inagural King's Putter..............

If the "money's" enough, I'll play tough!

Rich

Rich:

SHHHHH!  We want to keep your amateur status intact, not to mention my integrity as former captain.  

TH

Calling all Europeans / ROTW playing off +3 and better....!

and calling all Europeans / ROTW who have the chat....!

As an Englishman transplanted to Canada, I would be proud to represent the side.

James et. al.

To be less flip than in my previous posts, let me say that I think this is a great idea.  Let me also give some advice, based on my experience in a couple of similar events.

1.(and 2., 3., and 4.)  Events such as these do not organise themselves, nor can they/will they be organised by a committee.  The secret to success is getting somebody with time, determination and passion to step up to the plate and take charge, ASAP!  The first King's Putter would probably never have taken place if Ed Getka had not grasped the nettle of responsibility and established dates and venues for others to follow.  Somebody, ANYBODY, do this for this concept!  Please.

5.  Official GCA "sponsorship" would be preferable, but it is not essential.  While many of us would like to see whether "Ran Morrissett" actually exists, or is just a Laura Croft-like cyber creation, these sorts of events can flourish without his active participation.

6.  The idea of holding this at the actual Ryder Cup venues is noble, but flawed.  For one thing, trying to get 24+ aficionados onto Oakland Hills, for example, for a 3-day golf and beverage fest is a bit ambitious, to say the least.  Sure, we might be able to buy our way into one of the future EU venues (KClub, Celtic Manor, PGA-Gleneagles) but who wants to travel thousands of miles to play golf on architecturally barren courses where the cart girls are wearing wooly jumpers?

7.  For the inaugural event, the UK/Ireland is preferable for a venue, if only for the reason that it is far more likely that you will get large quantitites of GCA people to travel eastward than westward.  The fact that the golf (adn the GCA) over here is better is just a bonus..........

The Bottom Line

a.  Somebody grasp the nettle.  We need a dictatorial supremo (or a duumvirate--US and ROW), and we need him/her/them now!

b.  Find a venue, set a tentative date, float it on this DG, and see what happens

c.  What will happen will be historic.

Cheers

Rich

PS--If it is decided that Scotland is the place for this quasi-inaugural event, I will be very happy to help any Supremo(es) in terms of venues, other logistics, etc., as best I can.  However, Shermanesquely, if I am nominated for supremo, I shall not run, and if elected, I shall not serve.  Ou est les Getkas d'aujourdui?