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Colour Commentary: 2020 Ryder Cup ends with historic U.S. win over Team Europe

The 43rd edition of the Ryder Cup was held at the Whistling Straits golf course in Haven, Wisconsin

The 43rd edition of the Ryder Cup held in Haven, Wisconsin could be summarized in a number of ways  — exhilarating, refreshing, and entertaining.

Competitive, however, doesn’t make the cut. 

The fan-favourite tournament is a biennial golf competition between 12-man rosters from the United States and Europe. This year, the action took place on American soil at Whistling Straits golf course, where the home team was victorious 19-9. 

For those that don’t know how the tournament is scored and played, I’m with you — it’s complicated and it probably warrants another page to explain. Instead, you can read up a dedicated guide here. But for the purposes of this piece, all you need to know is the U.S. margin of victory (10) was the largest in the modern format of the Ryder Cup, which was adopted in 1979. 

Though some of golf’s most marketable and talented superstars have donned the American uniform, it’s been the European teams that have found the most success at this event in recent memory. Coming into the weekend, the U.S. had lost eight of the previous 11 iterations of the Ryder Cup.

Over time, the consensus among media and fans was that while the Americans often boast extreme skill and talent, they lack the camaraderie and teamwork to put it all together. Meanwhile, the European teams were always the staple of strength in numbers, selflessness, and longevity. 

Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, and Lee Westwood headlined the European roster as Ryder Cup veterans who proved their worth in years past. They also had the number one ranked player in the world in Jon Rahm. 

This year, the Europeans played well. However, they were just drastically outplayed by the Americans who were able to put aside their individual egos and work in unison for the weekend. The result was the most one-sided Ryder Cup in recent memory. 

It’s odd to think this U.S. roster has already been labelled as the greatest American team ever assembled, considering two of its generational stars in Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson weren’t competing (though Mickelson was involved with the team as a vice-captain).

And although no individual on the team boasts a personal brand that comes close to their predecessors, the makings of an American dynasty have already begun. 

The U.S. was young and stacked across the board — collectively, their world golf rankings were well ahead of the Europeans and even previous versions of the American team. Only four players on their roster — Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, and Harris English, and Tony Finau were above 30 years of age. 

Perhaps most notably, the roster came together and built a genuine chemistry and caring for one another, despite their individual talent and brands, that didn’t feel forced or fake. 

The European team will host the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome, Italy. On home soil, they haven’t lost since 1993, but they will almost surely go into the event as underdogs.

But don’t count on Team Europe to go out without a fight. 

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A memorable Masters

Dustin Johnson wins the 84th edition of the Masters

The Masters tournament at Augusta National Golf Club is traditionally held in the spring of April and serves as a joyful indication to golf enthusiasts everywhere of the beginning of a fresh season.

The Masters is widely considered the most influential career milestone that every golf star must conquer to achieve greatness in the sport. As a result, the best contenders have always had their sights set towards claiming the illustrious green jacket.

The ongoing pandemic ultimately forced tournament organizers to postpone the 84th edition of the event, settling on a projected return in mid-November and after a seven-month adjournment, The Masters officially took place from Nov. 12 to 15.

The azaleas that traditionally outline the course and give the competition it’s distinct look gave way to fall foliage. The usual thousands of patrons that line the course in greeting the field of players were now in the comfort of their homes. The greens that are notoriously deceptive and delicate were uncharacteristically lenient due to the added softness from frequent precipitation and cold conditions that come with the fall season.

While the most traditional of the four golf major tournaments was as different as could possibly be this year, the Masters ended in the most normal way, the green jacket being awarded to the top-ranked golfer in the world, Dustin Johnson. In 2019, Johnson finished in a three-way tie for runner-up at the event, and experts have always known it was only a matter of time for the superstar.

Sometimes as fans, we like to make spicy predictions because it gives us something new to root for when watching from home,” said Tom Carrier, a life-long golf enthusiast and golf instructor from Laprairie. “It’s easier to say in hindsight now that the tournament is done, but Johnson was the obvious pick if you know anything about golf.”

In the end, Johnson finished 20 under par, the lowest 72-hole score in Masters’ history. His five-stroke margin of victory was the largest since Tiger Woods’ historic 12-shot win in 1997.

He came into the fall edition of the Masters on a dominant run that hadn’t been seen since a young Woods lead the game for several years at the turn of the century.

In Johnson’s six previous tournament appearances this year, he won two events (the Northern Trust, TOUR Championship), finished second three times (PGA Championship, BMW Championship, Houston Open), and finished a respectable sixth at the US Open.

Johnson first became the top-ranked golfer in the world at the beginning of 2017 and has maintained the prestigious honour for a total of 104 weeks, fourth-most all-time. With his victory at Augusta National on Sunday, he now has two major championships to his name to go along with his 27 professional victories.

Johnson’s list of accolades rivals golf’s most notable superstars of the past; yet, the top-ranked golfer struggled to avoid criticism and skepticism from fans and peers coming into the competition.

While Johnson has won two majors, cynics will be the first to state he should have a couple more in his possession after failing to convert 54-hole leads into victories in several notable tournaments. In addition, his stoic and silent nature has at times played into the misconnected narrative that he is an uncaring and simple-minded jock.

However, Johnson proved he is as meticulous as any generational talent through his most recent triumph in golf’s biggest test. Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy summed up this year’s champion in a nutshell: “[Johnson] makes the game so simple. It’s something to admire all the time.”

 

Graphic by Rose-Marie Dion

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A great year for golf

COVID-19 has had a positive impact on local golf businesses

This infographic released by the Texas Medical Association lists sports and activities, and ranks their COVID-19 risk factors on a scale of one to 10. Tennis and golf scored a two and a three respectively, while the next sports on the chart were basketball and football, both deemed moderate to high risk activities.

By nature, golf adheres to social distancing protocol. The sport involves individuals playing amongst each other but doesn’t require any physical contact with other players, which explains why golf isn’t considered to be a team sport, even though it is usually played in groups. Players carry their own equipment and the outdoor environment of a golf course caters to having six feet between players at all times, with a constant supply of fresh air.

COVID-19 has left its mark on all kinds of activities, beyond sports. For Charles Patton, a co-owner of Patton’s Glen Golf Club in Kahnawake, the year that seemed to have nothing positive in store changed for the better when his business was given permission to re-open in early June. His ninehole course saw an uptick in clientele that still persists to this day.

“We’re very fortunate that the business actually may have benefited from the pandemic,” Patton said. “Our golf course has always satisfied people who want to relax and get away from the stress life presents. I think more people need that these days.”

In June, Patton was given the challenge of re-designing the course to minimize contact points between players. This meant removing ball cleaning stations and benches, having to clean the golf carts and bathroom after each use, and lengthening tee boxes to better manage the distance between golfers. Despite all of the changes, the golf course is as busy as ever.

“I don’t want to take this for granted, because I know how many small businesses are struggling these days,” Patton said. “We’re not the biggest or fanciest course in the area, but we still make ends meet and that goes to show how popular the sport is right now.”

Patton’s Glen Golf Club was designed to accommodate all levels of golfers. Skilled players can hone their skills and attempt to break prior scores, while beginners can enjoy a round with their friends without enduring the pressure that comes along with a traditional 18-hole course. The quaint course has hosted its typical clients from past years, but Patton said the biggest increase in players this year is with beginners.

“Beyond the regulars, it’s the couples who are trying to learn something together, or the guy who is trying to teach his buddies how to swing a golf club,” Patton said. “It’s things of that nature that I see more often than ever. It’s a lot less competitive and a lot more relaxing.”

Sports have a way of bringing people together through competition and teamwork. In 2020, golf and its inherent distancing is bringing people closer together.

 

Graphic by Taylor Reddam

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Men’s golf team heads to nationals

Representing ConU at the 2015 CIS National Championship in Ontario

The Stingers golf season may have come to a close last month, but next season will tee off swiftly as the men’s team have qualified to compete in the 2015 Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) National Championships for the first time ever.

After the Stingers men’s and women’s golf teams played their strongest season yet, coach Ben Painchaud says that qualifying for nationals this year is redemption for the team.

“Last year was difficult for the guys. They finished fifth in the conference and missed qualifying for the National Championships by three shots,” he said. “They worked very hard [this whole year] and didn’t take anything for granted. On paper we were a good team, but I think the guys wanted to come out strong, play good consistent golf and ensure that spot for nationals.”

By competing in the championships this year the Concordia golf team will attain its first CIS national ranking, which Painchaud says is an important aspect given a program revival was implemented in 2013 after the men finished at the bottom of the Quebec conference.

At the end of the three Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) events and the provincial championship this season, two Stingers placed in the top five of over 80 players who participated: Paolo Addona finishing third overall in the conference and Jacob Peterson finishing fourth overall. The two players were also named part of this season’s all-star team, which includes the four best conference players.

Having tied with and beat the top ranked golf team, Université de Laval, multiple times during the season, the Stingers proved that Concordia is a powerhouse.

“Being able to compete and beat Université de Laval and Université de Montréal was very encouraging [this season]. The guys definitely know they belong amongst the best players in the country,” said Painchaud.

This year’s CIS National Championship will take place in Guelph, at the Cutten Fields Golf Club in May 2015. In order to get a solid grasp on what to expect of the course, Painchaud and some of the team members travelled there and studied it closely.

“We have taken notes and measurements and we are beginning to formulate a game plan for that course. Google maps, pictures and the creation of a yardage book will be invaluable to team success,” said Painchaud. “We will be training in the Concordia Dome all winter.”

The week-long event at the end of May 2015 will include four rounds of competition as well as multiple practice rounds. Once the snow melts and the season springs forward in April, Painchaud will take his team on another trip to the course to further familiarize themselves with it and the city of Guelph.

“Personally, I will make sure that Concordia is the most prepared team at the event,” he said.

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Golf’s new era

Golf fans have reason to get excited once again

As the sun set on the Valhalla Golf Club on Aug. 10 and Rory McIlroy claimed the 2014 PGA Championship, professional golf quietly ushered into a new era. Led by McIlroy, younger players have begun to emerge as poster boys for the sport who can consistently dominate the leaderboard. In doing so, golf can finally flourish in a world without Tiger Woods.
There will never be another Tiger Woods. What he did for the sport is incomparable to any other legendary athlete. Woods took a gentleman’s game and tore it up. With a ferocious backswing and a relentless need to win, he showed the world how cool golf could be. Now, golf courses are littered with Nike polos and golfers trying to perfect their own Tiger-fist-pump. From 1997-2008, when he won the last of his 14 major championships, every time Woods stood on the tee box he expected to win. Woods was a child prodigy that simply lived up to his name. He was a beast; he was a tiger.
Since Woods’ scandalous fall and string of injuries, golf has been waiting for a saviour. As this year’s PGA season begins to wrap up, McIlroy has been golf’s hero to turn to. After two dramatic major championship wins this season, Nike’s new icon from Northern Ireland has gotten golf fans excited.
McIlroy, with a total of four major victories, is only the third player to reach that accomplishment by 25 years old. Appropriately, the two other players are Arnold Palmer and Woods.
It wasn’t the fact that McIlroy won back-to-back major championships this year, but how he won them. In late July, McIlroy won the 2014 British Open Championship. He shot a remarkable 66 in his first two rounds and led the field from start to finish. At Valhalla, after a rain delay and numerous lead changes, McIlroy prevailed once again. With his charismatic Irish accent and flawless yet aggressive swing, McIlroy’s character has that familiar superstar quality.

Will McIlroy replace Woods? No, but he doesn’t have to. Other young golfers such as Rickie Fowler, Jason Day, and future-star Jordan Spieth are stiffening the competition. All under the age of 26, these players will make golf fun to watch for years to come.
Fowler in particular has become another fan favourite for his flair and skill. Known for his bright Puma apparel and childish physique, Fowler looks like he belongs at a skate park rather than on the golf course. Nevertheless, Fowler has proven himself as he’s finished within the top five in all four majors this year and has played the most consistent golf.
Woods is not gone, and while he may win another major in the future, it will not be the same. It will be a happy reminder of what he once was—a curtain call, if you will. Led by McIlroy, golf turns to a legion of younger players that bring their own individuality to the sport. How fitting is it that after a decade of Tiger, golf now has a Ror’.

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