Reading one of the trades this weekend, I came across an interesting nugget of information. 31 players from a variety of countries rejected invitations to represent their countries in the World Cup. The major players in this mass exodus are:
*Mike Campbell and David Smail, New Zealand;
*Stephen Ames, Trinidad (I thought he was Canadian);
*Thongchai Jaidee, Thailand
*Nick Price, Zimbabwe
*Vijay Singh, Fiji

The reason that these guys are major players is that their absence means that their countries will not be allowed to participate in 2005. That’s right, no subs, no replacements, no ringers, no one.

In a talent-rich country like the USA, it’s all right if the top eight eligible players take a powder, as long as someone like #9 Stewart Cink steps up and says “I’ll play.” The Kiwis, Fijians, and the rest of the lot are SOL when their big guys bow out.

The World Cup (nee Canada Cup) has a long and colorful history that means it should rate highly on the list of represent-your-country events. It’s not Ryder or Prez, but it has a bit more importance than Dunhill or Seve, for goodness’ sake. Therein lies the problem. In our patriotic fervor, we have presented too many options for too few players to represent the country and wave the flag.

Can you imagine telling a country’s soldiers, “Sorry, mates. You have another war to fight this year. Then it’s back to Iraq next year, and for two battalions, another country, too.”

What I can’t figure out is, why is it the guys from the Prez that are bowing out? Vijay, Nick, Cambo, Ames, Thongy, and Smaily MIGHT play Prez once every two years (if they qualify.) What is keeping them from going to Portugal in November to get paid and play for country? It doesn’t make sense to me.

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