by Henry Coors
During one round of press conferences after play (I think it was on Friday) GolfChannel first broadcasted the press conference with Bernhard Langer and after that with Hal Sutton. And although it is clear that Bernhard Langer was in a much superior position at that point, he continued to say that he was there to SERVE his players. Whenever THEY needed something - he would give it to them. He never asked his players to give something to him.
On the other hand you had Hal Sutton. He carried out a very amusing press-conference, yet he lashed out at many people (Mickelson, reporters asking him 'inappropriate' questions), leaving a rather awkward feeling in the room and at home. If a captain cannot manage to show respect and maybe even laugh at stupidity but tries to put on a look to kill - you cannot exactly expect this captain's team to do well in terms of 'being relaxed' or 'having a good time'.
Europe played for Europe, the US-players played for themselves and Hal Sutton captained as if he was the reason this tournament was held - always in front row.
It is a question of doing things TOGETHER. Sadly, this culture puts emphasis on the exact opposite (e.g. 'An Army of One'). That is the reason all the important individual titles go to the US. But it is also the reason the US stinks it up in team competition! The defeat in Basketball should have been a wake-up call, but it was not. The Ryder Cup should have been a wake-up call but it, too, went right over everybody's heads. Sad, sad, sad!

by Name withheld
I am an employee of American Golf and I can testify to their mis-management, and the horrible way they treat their employees, and their customers. They had to sell all of their Texas courses because they cannot survive in a competitive situation like Texas. They pay their employees worse than fast food chains. There is no consistency in managment because managers get out as soon as they can find a better job.
American Golf likes to raise the
budgeted revenue of their courses, while drastically cutting expenses, thereby foregoing the managers bonus, which is of course based on the budget. So you have de-motivated managers, and underpaid employees having to deal with gutted budgets, effecting course conditions, and customer satisfaction in return. Our
course has a great lay out and could be one of the best courses in the region.
It is not, however, because of financial neglect, old, inferior equipment and a club house in serious need of repair. In addition, micro-management, and "the american golf" way of doing things, prevents managers from having the freedom to run their business and keep their customers happy.
One of the "top dogs" of the company has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars replacing greens with the so-called grass of the future. It is supposed to be low maintenence and easier to manage. Any good superintendent however, will tell you it is crap. Not only is it very difficult to manage, it is also very
prone to diseases, and even an experienced superintendent could lose his greens completely in just a few days if disease is not caught and treated in time.
American Golf cuts out the expense of certain pre-emergent chemicals that would help manage weeds and course conditions, and then blame it on the greenskeeper when things don't go well. This "grass of the future" creates a thatch layer from excess organic material which does not allow water to penetrate properly, so you have to aerify several times per year. During the hot summer months, you have to water during the middle of the afternoon, making many golfers angry and slowing down the greens, because if you do not, the greens will burn up and die.
American Golf truly sucks.

by A broke pro
American Golf is far from being alone when it comes to management companies and their crappy way of operating a course. I don't know why there has been such a huge proliferation of these money grabbing middle men in the world of golf. To me, they are the biggest reason why being a Golf Professional is not the job it used to be in terms of a rewarding career. That and the fact that the PGA is partnered up with them and not standing up for the welfare of its' members like they used to. I can remember when jobs were advertised as not meeting the standards of the PGA. Now, most jobs want the Golf Professional to do more and more and pay him less and less. You have to be an accountant, general manager, food and beverage operator, and knowledgeable about the superintendents role to have the privilege of making $40,000 and working 55-60 hours per week for some company that is raking off profits for their "expertise". Give me a break! The golf world would be a much better place if every management company went away. However, since I might find myself needing a job with one of these blood suckers, I won't post my name.

by MJ Fisher
One little incident during the end of Saturday's round typifies the difference between the US and Euro's attitude toward these matches. On the 18th hole Sergio Garcia pretty much hacked up the hole, yet he had a long diabolical putt of 40, 50, or 60 feet for bogey. Rather than pick it up, Sergio, probably like the rest of us, decided to try to make the putt for a , "what the heck" and no other reason. It was inconsequential for the match, but he tried it anyway, and guess what, he made it. The TV announcers were all over him for even trying the putt. But, that my friends is the underlying difference between the two teams. The "wholly than thou" attitude of the US and its apologists toward the game was evident throughout. Hey, we did't invent the game, and we should approach it the same way the Euro's did. Have some fun. The next time I have a long putt for meaningless score, you bet I will try it. It may be the one shot that salvages my round. Sergio's shot made numerous highlight replays; and mine will do the same.
MJ Fisher
San Francisco, CA

by Nick Aramino
You know what? Let's turn this around and enjoy it! I love an underdog; and in spite of all the crying and finger pointing at the American team and it's coach, I still enjoyed the event. The course was tough as hell; and teh Europeans came here as huge underdogs -- again -- and laid it on. This is what sports is all about! You don't win it on paper; you win it -- or lose it -- in the actual competition. Rankings, schmankings. Put 24 of the best golfers in the world on a course and let them have at it -- and on any given week....well, you know the rest.

by Casey Ciere
As a comment to your message about the Ryder Cup, perhaps they should lighten up. The team concept seems to escape Team U.S.A. and the individual skills are never applauded or encouraged by the other Team members. Did the Ryder coach not learn anything from the recent Olympics. You can't have high priced athletes trying to win without a little rah rah !! I watched Phil Mickelson at the Canadian Open with his $10 million smile all over the course. +10 after 3 days should have concerned the coach. Great news for Calloway but not for the Ryder group. Also you can't just dial it on and off as you please. It should be nurtured and the goal need to be enhanced. If it's too much bother, get the players who can get it done. There is enough talent in the good ole U.S.A. to make a better showing than this.
Thanks for listening
Casey Ciere

by Cher Street Lee
Why did Hal Sutton give the players a choice of when they could play? Perhaps part of the Captains job should have been new parent therapy and providing a day care! Chris Riley, what were you thinking? Or was it a lack of confidence and the pressure of playing with Tiger and trying to handle the huge galleries that follow his every move?
What's the scoop on Phil Michelson? Reports in the British press say there was a dispute over the type of ball the players were to play with and that Phil didn't participate in the team practice or any of the social events. What is the truth?
Sounds like a star throwing his toys out of his pram! Time to grow up and play like a team!