Watching the Ryder Cup in the Sussex CCC Museum
less interruption at home
Last night it was my pleasure to invite John Pargiter to a dinner held in the museum at Hove cricket ground . Paul Way who played in two Ryder Cups aged 20 in the eighties was guest of honour. The festivities began with a chipping competition for the contestant to land his ball on a flag on the hallowed outfield closer to Paul which 2 guests did. We then had a three course slap up meal with the tv coverage of the Ryder Cup. As ever with such dinners there were interruptions for auctions and competitions but all this raised £4000 for Susssex Cricket Foundation.
Pargie remembered Paul Way with his flowing blonde hair as one of the young hopefuls of British golf. Unlike Phil Woosnam he did not train onto a major . He was paired with Seve Ballesteros in his first Ryder Cup against a powerful USA team with the likes of Trevino, Tom Watson, Johnny Miller , Cutris Strange, Ray Floyd, Bruce Lietzke, and Tom Weiskopf which Europe only narrowly lost. The swing was turning to Europe under the inspired playing of Seve Ballesteros and Nick Faldo leading to the domination that Europe now enjoys. But possibly no longer. The first morning scoreboard was all red but we watched Europe clamber back to a competitive 3-5.
Pargie expressed himself strongly over his beef tournedos and claret that Westwood should never be picked, that Cabrera Bello should have been paired with Sergio Garcia and that all 12 European players should have competed by the third round of matches . There is now a lot of pressure on debutants Chris Wood and Matt Fitzpatrick. Nonetheless the beating Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar and Reed and Spieth was significant and that much used word ‘momentum” was swinging back in our direction.
To add a twist to our perennial debate : is it better to watch at home or out at an event? There is more continuity and less interruption at home. Against that Paul Way did add to the enjoyment of the event and other guest swere knowledgeable. I was happy to watch one session this way but come Saturday night and Sunday nothing will tear me away from the box.
