Sunday 24 September 2006

Emotional Ryder Cup Rout for Europe

It's hard to imagine a more one-sided contest; although I have to concede the history books point to even more staggering margins in terms of the scoreline (before GB & I became Europe), and in favour of the USA.

But the nature of this 36th Ryder Cup was one of absolute European dominance from the first session of fourballs, when, with the second shot of the event, the usually flawless Tiger Woods clawed his drive into the water and never really recovered. His jittery start seemed to be contagious and the American team, containing the top 3 players in the world, (Woods, Furyk and Mickelson), were like lambs to the slaughter.

Neither Europe nor GB & I before them, managed to win all 5 sessions (2 sets of fourballs matches, 2 sets of foursomes and the series of 12 singles on Sunday), and the manner of the singles series was demonstrative of a European team brimming with confidence, inspired by each other and determined to win an unprecedented third consecutive Ryder Cup. Five times out of six now the USA have returned home to their individualistic PGA Tour schedules with their tails between their legs and this time more than any other time.

Despite the best efforts of Captain Lehman his team never looked anything other than twelve individuals. Woosie's dozen looked like brothers who cared about each other. Woods has never looked comfortable playing for anyone other than himself and Mickelson just appears to be gutless in this environment. In short, he doesn't care enough. If only Lehman could pick a Payne Stewart, a Lanny Wadkins, a Ray Floyd or a Trevino. These were guys who cared about winning more than their own individual records or egos. The beauty of the European team of 2006 is that you could put the names in a hat and pull out the pairings and any one of them would be happy to play with anyone else. This would never be case with the egos of Mickelson and Woods in the team room.

A word for each of the winning team.

Henrik Stenson: a quiet series for the ever-promising Swede but his place in history is guaranteed as the first Swede to hit the winning putt in a Ryder Cup.

Luke Donald: used sparingly, but won 3 out 3 , renewing his deadly partnership with Sergio

Sergio Garcia: becoming the talisman of the Ryder Cup that once was Seve; 4 points this year to go with his 4.5 of 2004.

David Howell: did well and seemed to regain his putting touch in his singles victory

Colin Montgomerie: was this his last Ryder Cup? Let's hope not. He led from the front magnificently as usual. He retained his unbeaten singles record and his name on the team sheet at Valhalla in two years may be worth a couple of points in terms of th effect it will have in the American locker room

Paul Casey: His Ryder Cup image took a battering after his comments last time out; this time he let his golf do the talking. Can anyone ever have finished a match 5&4 with a hole-in-one before?

Robert Karlsson: the big Swede did nothing wrong and played well with Casey on days 1 and 2 before succumbing to Tiger in the singles

Padraig Harrington: a disappointing personal performance but will never forget the day he won the Ryder Cup in his own country

Paul McGinley: good to see him recover form and one must admire his sporting gesture on the last green to JJ Henry. Well done Paul

Jose Maria Olazabal: a perfect partner for Sergio; role reversal to his old pairing with Seve. He looked delighted to see off Mickelson

Lee Westwood: along with Sergio, againthe biggest points collector on the Euro side. Played 5, won 3, halved 2. Slaughtered DiMarco on the front nine despite a temperature of over 100 degrees. And what a pairing with DC

Darren Clarke: the most amazing Ryder Cup story of recent times. Only a few short weeks since he tragically lost his wife Heather, that Clarke was able to play at all was astonishing. That he played 3 won 3 and played mesmeric golf along the way says everything you need to know. Now let's get a major in 2007 Darren.

Ian Woosnam: not eloquent, polished or erudite. But Woosie has been there, done that. And his experience of what was needed was enough to secure this landslide. He united his team and his captain's picks proved inspired. He'll be relieved it's all over but can be very proud.

One final thing. The only downside of this most emphatic victory was not the weather, but the incessant ramblings of Nick Faldo on Sky's presentations. Yes, he is Britain's greatest post war golfer with six majors. He is the Ryder Cup's most prolific points accumulator. A commentator he is not. Commentators know when to speak and when to let the pictures tell the story. How many errors did he make? He didn't know the golf course, the players or the state of the matches. I lost count of how many times we were forced to listen to him turn the events of 2006 into the events of yesteryear a la Faldo. At least in 2008 he'll be too busy to commentate. I only hope his 'the way I used to do it' speeches are left behind and that people around him speak sense, to counteract his egotistical indulgences.








Monday 4 September 2006

And summer became autumn all of a sudden...

Yes I know, it's been a while since I posted anything on here. What can I say? I've been busy...

Summer came and went in a flash. The first art was the usual frenetic high energy of kids' holiday club. This year I created one called 'Wild West' which used the life of David against a backdrop of cactus plants, saloon doors and a life-size cardboard cutout of John Wayne himself. (£30 off the internet!; incidentally, Elvis is £50 - you'd think the cardboard would cost the same; maybe those extra cheeseburgers are worth the £20 extra).

We had approx. 80 kids there each morning and it really was a great week, but as usual, exhausting. The following week I waved goodbye to the family as they headed off on their summer sojourn south, and I entrenched myself in front of the tv to watch The Open Golf Championship from Hoylake, which became another Tiger avalanche. Brilliant player, poor spectacle for those of us who like a nailbiting Sunday afternoon finish. Here's hoping the Ryder Cup makes up for it.

Then, in a stop-start summer, there were preaching and worship engagements as well as pastoral needs, before the holidays. My nephew got married and my youngest was a flower-girl so that was a nice opportunity to catch up with family and friends.

Then a week in the Lake District at the Keswick Convention. We arrived just as the heatwave left town. It rained for 5 out of 7 days. The ministry was good though. Particularly enjoyable was Luis Palau (hasn't aged a bit), Vaughan Roberts on 1 Corinthians and various speakers taking the seven churches of Revelation as the evening theme. I also enjoyed a cd I purchased there when I got home by Amy-Orr Ewing on 'The Need for Aplogetics in a Post-modern Culture'. Lots of food for the grey matter to digest over the next few months.

We then had a quick stopover in Dumfries (my home church) where Alan (their new minister and my old boss) roped me in to teach a kids' song in the Sunday morning service. My claims that 'I'm on my holidays' were met with short shrift! It was good fun, though.

Then an overnight in a TravelInn near Lymm, Cheshire (excellent value at £15 for the three of us) before 4 nights at the Graig Park Resort in North Wales.

Then back to reality. Staring down the barrel of a hectic new session. The autumn programme for youth ministy looks busy and exciting with new attenders and new leaders signing up to help as well as the returning army of keen volunteers.

Had an enjoyable day on Saturday at a Christian event, Awakenings UK, held near Edinburgh. Despite the inclement conditions (it tipped it down all day long) I particularly enjoyed listening to Ruth Bell Graham (daughter of Billy) and the music of Phatfish (with the wonderfully talented vocals of Louise Fellingham). Also there were Mark Stibbe, Ian White and Andrew Mitchell.

Well, now that I'm back in gear I'll be hoping to stay in touch with my thoughts (at least that's what my shrink said would work!)

Looking forward to 'getting stuck in'.

Shalom