The Ryder Cup; what kind of reception Europe can expect?

Benicetomonty

Have read today that Colin Montgomerie has taken some heat state-side for saying the Chicago fans are likely to create a pretty hostile environment for the European players. Not exactly unexpected you might say, but based on the abuse doled out to Europeans over the last few U.S hostings, surely his concerns are not entirely without foundation?

I was only at a practice day for the 2006 Ryder Cup and didn't attend any of the actual tournament days but I'd be truly ashamed if any of our fans behaved the way a minority (but a very vocal one) of American 'fans' did in 1999. All this talk about how Chicago is such a 'sports-town' seems to be an effort to prepare Ollie's team for substantial rowdiness and possibly worse. I hope I'm wrong, but I'm not convinced this will be a controversy-free staging; with the exception of Europe's runaway win in Detroit in 2004 where they were subdued into silence (making for possibly the most boring staging I can remember), galleries in the US have allowed themselves to be represented by a proportion of their fan-base that seem to have little knowledge of or regard for tournament golf and its etiquette. With the emergence of people who shout "Get in the hole" when a pro tees off a 600 yard par 5, or others who shriek "Mashed potatoes" under.any.circumstances, I'm not sure this will change.

FixdePitchmark

Benicetomonty wrote: »

Have read today that Colin Montgomerie has taken some heat state-side for saying the Chicago fans are likely to create a pretty hostile environment for the European players. Not exactly unexpected you might say, but based on the abuse doled out to Europeans over the last few U.S hostings, surely his concerns are not entirely without foundation?

I was only at a practice day for the 2006 Ryder Cup and didn't attend any of the actual tournament days but I'd be truly ashamed if any of our fans behaved the way a minority (but a very vocal one) of American 'fans' did in 1999. All this talk about how Chicago is such a 'sports-town' seems to be an effort to prepare Ollie's team for substantial rowdiness and possibly worse. I hope I'm wrong, but I'm not convinced this will be a controversy-free staging; with the exception of Europe's runaway win in Detroit in 2004 where they were subdued into silence (making for possibly the most boring staging I can remember), galleries in the US have allowed themselves to be represented by a proportion of their fan-base that seem to have little knowledge of or regard for tournament golf and its etiquette. With the emergence of people who shout "Get in the hole" when a pro tees off a 600 yard par 5, or others who shriek "Mashed potatoes" under.any.circumstances, I'm not sure this will change.

A few events i've watched in America you see a bit of drinking going on and these are lets just say "vocal".

But , the European crowd were very rowdy in Ireland and Wales - so fair game. I don't think they put the golfers off, but it will be very partisan.

They are at home and want to win. That is sport. Some might say that golf is not like that, but you could say the Ryder Cup is not like normal golf.

I'd say it will be a nightmare for Europe. Call a spade a spade, this thing is a grudge match now.

DiegoWorst

I don't know what reception the European players will get this time. Will just have to hope for the best.

But there does appear to be an inbalance, with the Americans experiencing friendly crowds when the Ryder Cup is hosted in Europe, as opposed to some of the behaviour the Europeans have had to put up with in the States, particularly on the East coast.
Years after the event, Brookline still irks me no end, fans and players alike brought the game of golf to an all time low that day.

There will be partisan crowds, there will be distasteful comments, but hopefully limited to a small number. Win or lose, fingers crossed for a sporting match. Two great teams, with form players on both sides, there's great potential for some super matchplay.

FixdePitchmark

DiegoWorst wrote: »

I don't know what reception the European players will get this time. Will just have to hope for the best.

But there does appear to be an inbalance, with the Americans experiencing friendly crowds when the Ryder Cup is hosted in Europe, as opposed to some of the behaviour the Europeans have had to put up with in the States, particularly on the East coast.
Years after the event, Brookline still irks me no end, fans and players alike brought the game of golf to an all time low that day.

There will be partisan crowds, there will be distasteful comments, but hopefully limited to a small number. Win or lose, fingers crossed for a sporting match. Two great teams, with form players on both sides, there's great potential for some super matchplay.

I know what happened in Brookline was bad.

But there was history there and the europeans were no angels before that.

GetInTheHole!

Here's what Davis Love III has to say about it:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/19708927

slave1

We're on their soil, don't expect anything favourable and you won't be disappointed...

Tox56

There's a line between supporting your side and going over the top. Obviously it depends on how you define "the line", but I don't think the European crowds have ever really crossed it, and to be fair the majority of the time neither have the Americans. The threat of it spilling over is always there, but I think Brookline has changed the attitude, and like every time concerns are raised before a big sporting event, it will probably go off without a hitch.