I had the great good fortune of coaching a match this week in upstate New York. Two of the league’s top teams went at it over nine holes, six players a side. After seeds one and two, it was 6.5-1.5 points against my lads. After seeds three and four, it was 8.5-7.5 against, and after seeds five and six, it was…you guessed it…12-12.

League rules stipulate that the top seeds play off at sudden victory for as many holes as required. Like a certain Presidents’ Cup match I recall, darkness cascaded around us, with bunkers, greens and even trees hard to discern. Pars halved the first hole, although our captain had to make a tricky five-footer downhill. The matter was settled on the second hole, when their top seed lipped out from 18 feet, and our cap drained a 10-feet birdie to send us all home to bed.

As I shook the hands of the opposing players, I realized that they had been the better team that day, and were quite unfortunate to go home with a loss. They were noble in defeat, and I was glad that we were done with them for the season. Neighborhood pride is a wonderful thing when weapons and substances do not conflict. It was heart-warming to see these twelve young men battle earnestly and respectfully, concealing outwardly what burned inside. I hope for the same this weekend from 24 of the finest golfers in the world.

P.S. No unseemly pictures of either number one seed’s girlfriends were mentioned by the local media.

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