GCA Ryder Cup Matches

[bodgeblack]

I am in, if you need a wee scottish guy for the goodies (rest of world)

cheers

jamie.

Venue: Moortown, Leeds home of the 1932 Ryder Cup. Nostalgia and a McKenzie Designed course. perfect!

[James Edwards]

Thank you for everyones thoughts.

The much awaited team now reads:-

1)  Mr (Aerial himself) Scott Burroughs (dep' on location)
2)  Mr (More Posts) Tom Huckaby
3)  Mr (WANNABE!) Dan Kelly (but may not come)
4)  Mr (info pls?) Bill McBride
5)  Mr (info pls?) David Carroll
6)  Mr (info pls?) Michael Whitaker
7)  Mr (scr player) Shivas
 Mr (info pls?) Tiger Bernhardt
9)  Mr (info pls?) Jeff Fortson
10) Mr (info pls?) Stan Whitey
11) Mr (info pls?) David Wigler
12) Mr (info pls?) Cabell Ackerly

ROTW  

1)  Mr James Edwards (ENG)
2)  Mr Ian Andrew (ENG)
3)  Mr (I can't play to 9) Brian Philips (ENG/NOR)
4)  Mr Ronan Branigan (if available)
5)  Mr Stuart Wilson (ENG)
6)  Mr Richard Myers (ENG)
7)  Mr Rich Goodale (New ROTW colleague)
 Mr Darren Kilfara (New ROTW colleague)
9)  Mr (secret weapon) Jamie Black (SCOT)
10) TBD
11) TBD
12) TBD

[THuckaby2]

I can help you with some of the US members....

The Dapper Bill McBride (wore plus fours at our last event, looked very classy)

Mr. Deeper than Deep Shivas - the man can pound the ball.

Mr. Bayou Bengal Bernhardt - no one lives and dies for LSU like this man.

Mr. True Scratch Player Fortson - our non-secret weapon.

Mr. Nicer than Nice Stan Whitey

Mr. Lori Wigler (if ever a man ought to be defined by his wife this is the one).

And of course the fact ROW is taking Goodale and Kilfara gives us a built-in excuse if we fall, so although we shall miss them I heartily endorse the idea.

TH

[david h. carroll]

JJSE--my info--33yo, home courses are Baltimore area Raynor that's getting redone and a beautiful Tillie...now playing to 1.7 but bambino #2 due in September so that may change ...played collegiately, but never across the pond and without ever having played w/ Mr. Shivas, I am confident that I am longer

[Paul_Turner]

I'm only playing if the venue is Painswick.  Quick matches, more time for drinks.

[Mike Hendren]

What P Turner said.  

I think everyone should play in the final day's singles matches with one-half of each team playing in the a.m. and the second half in the p.m.  Each participant would be required to CADDY for a teammate when not playing the final day.  

My participation depends upon a final year-end accounting with the Mrs. to determine whether this year's golf travels are a catch-up for the past five years, or a use-up for the next five.  

How about a more genteel "War By The Shore in 2004?"

Regards,

Mike

[Bill_McBride]

This is my third try to post my thoughts on the format, something has happened each time to erase, maybe it's predestined!
Anyway, I think the question of participation and qualifying, etc, should be moot.  Wherever the match is played, the visiting team comes up with a number of players and the hosts match this number.  In this case, having Messrs Goodale and Kilfara as wild cards makes it simple.  A la the Kings Putter, whoever shows plays.  Rank all participants by handicap index and establish the pairings.  No need to qualify, no trips abroad which don't result in playing in all the matches.  After all, this event is not going to establish continental domination, it's just going to create a venue for GCA fellowship and good competition.

And by the way............when and where?  Macrahinish in May 2004 sounds awfully good!

[Brian Phillips]

James,

You can put Ronan down as a definite and don't forget Line.  I am sure she will play for Denmark.

Brian (I will have a handicap of 14 by next year) Phillips

[James Edwards]

With the help of Mr (More Posts) Tom Huckaby, we have some interesting [clean] names developing.

The team now reads:-

1)  Mr (Aerial himself) Scott Burroughs (dep' on location)
2)  Mr (More Posts) Tom Huckaby
3)  Mr (WANNABE!) Dan Kelly (but may not come)
4)  Mr (Dapper +4's /cut above) Bill McBride
5)  Mr (absurd -1.7 hcap!!!/longer than shivas) David Carroll
6)  Mr (info pls?) Michael Whitaker
7)  Mr (scr player/deeper than deep) Shivas
 Mr (Bayor Bengal Bernhardt/LSU/LSU)Tiger Bernhardt
9)  Mr (even more absurd!!!-True SCR Player) Jeff Fortson
10) Mr (Nicer than Nice) Stan Whitey
11) Mr (I.E.A.M.O.2.B.D.B.H.W.T.I.T.O) Lori Wigler
12) Mr (info pls?) Cabell Ackerly

ROTW  

1)  Mr James Edwards (ENG)
2)  Mr Ian Andrew (ENG)
3)  Mr (I'll have a hcap of 14 nxt year) Brian Philips (ENG/NOR)
4)  Mr Ronan Branigan (confirmed thanks BP)
5)  Mr Stuart Wilson (ENG)
6)  Mr Richard Myers (ENG)
7)  Mr Rich Goodale (New ROTW colleague)
 Mr Darren Kilfara (New ROTW colleague)
9)  Mr (secret weapon) Jamie Black (SCOT)
10) Mr (course analyst) Paul Turner
11) Miss (new secret weapon) Line Mortensen (DEN)
12) TBD

Mike,

Interesting idea - could be a possibility.  Also, lets come up with a name for the event as I'm sure it will become a regular event every year possibly two years.

Bill,

If we manage to get 12+ Americans on this side of the pond and 12+ ROTW players, you can be rest assured I will get press attention.  They would love to do a segment on architectural enthusiasts especially as it's a Ryder Cup Format.
Team colors that sort of thing.

All,

If we get say 34 players, the extra players will not miss a game of golf and no one will go home feeling like they haven't participated in the matches.  This was purely an idea to have a 12 aside team match on great courses meaning everyone gets the most out of the trip.  Everyone will be making a journey, spending cash, so we will accomodate everyone.

But, a team will be representing each side, each day so that a winner will be established.

[THuckaby2]

JJSE:

This sounds more and more like such a great thing, that I'd say concrete plans can be begun to be made even now.  I'd nominate Machrihanish as the venue, and the time frame as May 2004.  Why?  Because I want to go there and that timing works for me.  

I know a damn fine travel company that can assist with all the necessary arrangements...

And for a group this size, it's never too early to set a date and start making reservations.

Email me if you wish any assistance with this.

TH
tom.huckaby@clorox.com

ps - if a name is needed, then Morrissett Cup would be a natural... that is, if Ran is on board with this and wants to designate it as an official event.  If not, then anything goes...

[Scott_Burroughs]

If we manage to get 12+ Americans on this side of the pond and 12+ ROTW players, you can be rest assured I will get press attention.  They would love to do a segment on architectural enthusiasts especially as it's a Ryder Cup Format.
Team colors that sort of thing.

Press attention for a small gathering of unknown golf architecture enthusiasts?  Who'd be interested in that?  I certainly wouldn't think Joe Six-Pack, er, I mean Seamus Shotglass would care about that.

[Dan Kelly]

Press attention for a small gathering of unknown golf architecture enthusiasts?  Who'd be interested in that?

If we could get Kobe Bryant there, it might be the lead story on every newscast, worldwide.  

[James Edwards]

Scott,

I'm not saying that the BBC will cover the 3 days but maybe 1 of them   with a highlights package going over your way  ;)and then all the big boys on your side of the pond can fight it out for the future coverage rights.

Over here, we enjoy hearing about 24 players competing in a match on a famous course - it's just the way we are.

Tom,

Thank you - I'll keep in contact.

Dan,

Could this be arranged?  He might not be doing much next year?

[Scott_Burroughs]

J,

I just liked my "Seamus Shotglass" statement as the Scottish equivalent to "Joe Six-Pack".    

[Lou_Duran]

Subject to all the caveats previously mentioned on this thread, count me in.  Dornoch or Ballybulion (sp) would be excellent candidates for venues, specially in the off-season when prices might be more reasonable and the weather a bit dicier.  If over-subscrived, a qualifier would be fine, maybe splitting the teams into A and B, and possibly having competitions between each class (USA-A vs.
ROTW-A, B vs. B, and totals as the tie-breaker). As Rich Goodale can attest to, I will need many strokes, but playing scratch within rather narrow handicap bands can work.  

[Darren_Kilfara]

I just liked my "Seamus Shotglass" statement as the Scottish equivalent to "Joe Six-Pack".    

But Seamus is an Irish name, not a Scottish one. (Still, plus points for the effort!)

Cheers,
Darren

[Scott_Burroughs]

Darren,

I guess it was Seamus MacDuff from Golf in the Kingdom that threw me off.  I'm embarrassed to say I've never read it  , but I can't find a reference to him being Irish (or not) on the internet.

[ForkaB]

Thought I'd bring this one back up for a couple of reasons:

1.  To create some food for thought for the New Mexico Golfapalooza (tm) contingent as they debte the future of GCA.

2.  To get those interested to begin thinking again a bit about dates, venues, formats, participation, etc.

While it may seem early, we should remember that May (a possible date) is only 8 months away, and if it is to be held in the UK (which seems likely), the sooner plans are settled the better both for travel and for securing the venue(s).  If sufficient interest remains (I'm sure it does) I would propose the following:

1.  We try to get Ran's blessing.  Land of Enchantment groupies, do your stuff!

2.  A Czar (not me!) nominate himself sooner rather than later to coordinate the event.  Experience has shown us that without one person grasping the nettle, these things will not get of the ground.  It also shows us that this is a difficult (but not thankless) task.  Nominations?

3.  Decide on venue, format, maximum/minimum # of participants, etc. to allow for logistical planning.

I think there are a few possible venues which stand out:

a.  SE England
b.  St. Andrews
c.  Dornoch

I can give help to the Czar (or Czarina, for that matter) on logistics for the latter two venues, particularly Dornoch.

Any more thoughts?

[THuckaby2]

More thoughts?  Only that you are 100% right on re all of this.  I'll be there in NM and solicit Ran re the idea.  Hell yes, it works better with his blessing, and thereby that of the site.

As for the Czar, you are so right that these things never actually happen without such a person... And it seems to me we have one:  this is JJSE's baby, so he's it until he says otherwise.  My offer to assist with travel and course arrangements, through the use of the wonderful company I use to handle such things when I go over, holds, however.  I stand ready when the word is given.

And you are VERY correct that if you're talking really any time in spring/summer 2004, now is absolutely not too early to make concrete plans, arrangements, reservations... the places we'd want to go are after all very popular, have limits on visitors, and do fill up quickly.  If we're talking a group of 32 or whatever we might already be too late for many courses....

TH

[Michael Whitaker]

Is the GCA Ryder Cup idea still in the works? I'm planning to visit Scotland sometime in 2004 and would like to factor this event into my plans, if possible. Thanks!

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

Rich I am glad you are bringing this up now too. I will miss New Mexico but 8 months is not that far away for a Scotland trip. We also need to figure the Kings Putter into all this.

[THuckaby2]

Given we all have lives, if this comes to frution I'd vote we subsume (not sure if that's a word, but I hope you get what I mean) The King's Putter for 2004 into it.  That is, make it an unofficial, simultaneously held part of this event.  Can't see how many of us can pull off both of these... We're talking the same basic time-frame.

TH

[ForkaB]

That would be interesting, Tom!  Not only have the designated US and ROW teams, but also two blind stealth teams (NoCal and SoCal) so you never would know whether or not you wanted your teammate to make a putt since he might also be your opponent!  Cool.

[THuckaby2]

That's EXACTLY what I had in mind, Rich.  We award TKP after the fact... tell people how they did... funny how we are thinking alike in this deviousness!

It would be very practical, also.

TH

[Lou_Duran]

TH,

The KP is early on its way to becoming a Left Coast major, a brand.  It should stand uninterrupted and undiluted on its own with the full support and sanctions of GCA.COM.

As a suggestion, why not hold the Ryder Cup during the early fall shoulder season in Ireland?  Certainly we can set football considerations aside for one weekend, and access as well as cost may be more manageable there.  I've heard it from several people that golf in Ireland is incomparable.

Now if we can get our friends in the NY/Philly metro areas to launch the Paul/Mucci/Childs/Cirba/Bahto et al. Matches in the summer, and with the various local and regional outings, we could have an active, geographically diverse schedule.  

As others have noted, the fellowship that this site fosters is a very neat thing.   We learn through these events that even though we may passionately disagree about some things, we all love the game, and genereally comport ourselves honorably.  The face-to-face contact softens some of the sharp edges, and we often learn that a guy such as JakaB is really a very nice man with a curious, mischevious bent.

All BS aside, May 2004 will not be a good Ryder Cup month for me with my son graduating from college.