[CFC1]

Is it just me, or are others already getting excited about the Ryder Cup, which is now only 3 1/2 weeks away!

Anyone lucky enough to be making the trip to the K Club?

[NWhiteley]

When my dad was alive, we used to be glued to the tv set watching the Ryder Cup, he was an avid golfer, and one of the things he always wanted to do was go to see Europe win on American soil. Sadly that never happened, and since his death i have lost interest in sport (other than football).
My mother has pestered my to start living again, and i am now seriously considering getting the time off work to go and fulfill my dads dream for him.

[KevD]

Originally Posted by CFC1

Is it just me, or are others already getting excited about the Ryder Cup, which is now only 3 1/2 weeks away!

Anyone lucky enough to be making the trip to the K Club?

Not lucky enough to be going , but I am really looking foward to it. A bit more confident of European success after recent form helped some of the bigger players get closer to the team and the USA inexperienced line up, although Tiger is looking very good (Captains Pick)

USA Team

Tiger Woods
Phil Mickelson
Jim Furyk
Chad Campbell
David Toms
Chris DiMarco
Vaughn Taylor
J.J. Henry
Zach Johnson
Brett Wetterich
Stewart Cink (Captains Pick)
Scott Verplank (Captains Pick)

Europe Team (Likely....so I say )

Luke Donald
Sergio Garcia
Henrik Stenson
David Howell
Colin Montgomerie
Paul Casey
Jose Maria Olazabal
Padraig Harrington
Robert Karlsonn
Paul Mcginley

+Two Picks

[CFC1]

NWhiteley: I think that would be a great gesture. And you might even enjoy it and get your interest of other sports back too...

I know where you are coming from though. On a non sport related thing, (please bear with me sports fans) my dad was always interested in the JFK assassination thing and wanted to go to Dallas, to Dealey Plaza, where the evil deed took place. Needless to say, like your dad, he died without fulfilling his dream. However, I did the trip "for him" on the 40th anniversary of the assassination in November 2003, and can honestly say, that I felt great about myself that I did the trip and somehow felt that my dad was happy too. It really helped to ease my grief!

[CFC1]

KevD: Yeah, the European team is looking good against the Americans. If Darren Clarke can recover from his recent bereavement, wants to play and can be competitive, then surely Woosie has to pick him. Do you reckon Jiminez would be worth the other pick or do you have another idea?

I live in Northern Ireland and so it would be fairly easy for me to travel to the K Club, indeed I went here for the European Masters last month, but day tickets just can't be got now. They are still selling corporate packages for 3 or 4 days, but these are like £4000 each. My wife's cousin applied for some about 18 months ago and got 2 for the final day, but sadly, he's selling them and has been offered £1200 for the pair...

[KevD]

I think Clarke and Jimanez would have to be the favourites for the two picks, (although I dont know if Ireland has a large enough supply of Cigars to cater for these two )
Bjorn, Poulter and Westwood (who has been looking better recently) or even Nick Dougherty would be the other contenders and I guess and I would be happy with any of those.

There is Johan Edfors who has won and contended regualarly this year and I would like to see him given a go.

[CFC1]

Originally Posted by KevD

....Bjorn, Poulter and Westwood (who has been looking better recently)

I agree. Looking at the likely team so far, I think it could be strenthened slightly by swapping any 2 of those 3 with McGinley & Olazabal, but then it is in Ireland, so McGinley...... then Olly is inspirational....... I dunno, my head hurts thinking about it!..... A good headache though!

[NWhiteley]

Having not taken a great deal of interest in the world of golf recently, im not up to speed with a lot of the European players this time around. I have heard that Europe is the favourite to win because of the American inexperience, but i have heard of all of the Americans, and seen most of them playing well. But the European team seems to be full of unknown golfers, (apart from the 4 or 5 household names). Are the Europeans really good enough to win, or are the Americans going to have an easy ride?

[CFC1]

I'm the other way around to you! All the Europeans are household, familiar names to me, but a few of the Americans are not, namely JJ Henry, Zach Johnson, Vaughn Taylor and Brett Wetterich. I am really surprised Lehman didn't pick Davis Love. That could be a big mistake.....hopefully.

As it stands, I reckon the European team would be good favourites!

[Istanbul_Kop]

Cant wait.

Went to Hoylake the other month, my first time.

Fantastic golf is, gets a bad rap from too many people.

[CFC1]

Originally Posted by Istanbul_Kop

Cant wait........Fantastic golf is

We agree on something... that can't be right!

[Del Boy Smiffy]

Is this on normal tv?

[CFC1]

Not live. Sky have sole live rights to Ryder Cup. I would assume the BBC will have a highlights show though...

[Istanbul_Kop]

Is it in HD?

[CFC1]

Yes, It's in HD!

[Istanbul_Kop]

Get in the hole.

[CFC1]

Crikey! The Americans must be serious about this one - I see they have made a flying 2 day trip to the K Club to familiarise themselves with the course and get comfortable with the surroundings...

[DJT75]

I'm gonna stick my neck out here & say the inexperienced yanks will do us, just got a feeling. My other depressing bet of the year is a complete Australian white-wash in the ashes

[CFC1]

Dunno about an American Ryder Cup win, but an Aussie whitewash in the Ashes is definitely a realistic outcome!

[RMCF]

Originally Posted by CFC1

I live in Northern Ireland and so it would be fairly easy for me to travel to the K Club, indeed I went here for the European Masters last month, but day tickets just can't be got now. They are still selling corporate packages for 3 or 4 days, but these are like £4000 each.

Did I not see 1-day trips from Belfast recently in the local press? You got to pick whatever day you wanted.

I think the prices were £180-ish (but don't quote me on that).

That would be a decent price to see such a big tournament. Was even considering it myself. If not, then as usual it will make essential TV viewing. Even better if we spank the Yanks!!

[CFC1]

Didn't see that! Did that include entry to the Ryder Cup?

[CFC1]

Good news! SSN are reporting that Darren Clarke has asked to be considered as a wild card for the Ryder Cup......

[scrapbook]

What sort of form is Clarke going to be in? Not totally convinced he deserves one of the picks.

Although, I'd be surprised if it is anyone other than him and Bjorn.

[CFC1]

Westwood and Poulter would need picks also! Westwood is a good mate of Woosie.......

[huntere]

World opf golf last night said Clarke has said he is "available" i.e. lifted his self imposed withdrawl from golf.

The pundits tips were Clarke and Bjorn. But Westies record is hard to ignore. Will need to see whats happens in the BMW.

[RMCF]

Originally Posted by CFC1

Didn't see that! Did that include entry to the Ryder Cup?

Yes entry was included. It was bus down, entry and bus back after the days play - would be worth paying for.

Now just can't remember where I seen it - migth have been Belfast Telegraph.

[Istanbul_Kop]

I was in Belfast yesterday - very nice now isn't it.

On the thread note, I'm thinking of going the Ryder Cup as well.

[CFC1]

Originally Posted by Istanbul_Kop

....I was in Belfast yesterday

Mate, you should have said you were coming! I would have organised a civic reception for you at City Hall!

Have you got tickets to the RC?

[Istanbul_Kop]

There wa a civic reception for me, you just weren't invited.

In truth I was only there for a bit of business and then got the train down to Dublin for a bit of pleasure. I wasn't in Belfast long at all.

...and nah, I aint got tickets.

[CFC1]

Originally Posted by Istanbul_Kop

There wa a civic reception for me, you just weren't invited.

Hey, so what's new!