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I spent considerable time over the last three nights staying up till dawn to watch the Ryder Cup. I never left home but the jet lag is huge. The golf competition took place in Chicago time this year. Thus, in Seoul, it began when we normally fall asleep.
The Ryder Cup has been going on for many years, but TV golf worldwide has just made it as big as a three-day Olympics. I got hooked five years ago. I was in Ireland exactly one year before the cup match was played there at the famous K Club. I rented clubs and played a round on the same course to the day one year before the golfing greats actually made the event come alive. I remember that early September morning. Blue sky, heavy dew on the grass, leaves turning fiery red colors. I recall the fresh smell of the grass and Ireland on a calm morning.
The Europeans won this year’s event again, snatching victory from the fingers of the Yanks. It was one of the great come-from-behind victories of all time. Thousands, tens of thousands cheered, moaned, and as usual, the home town factor was strong. Waves of “USA…USA” chanted against the subtle song of the Euro fans.
It is one of the greatest professional events. But here is the amazing thing. Most of the rest of their year, these great players act rather dignified and conservative as they play PGA Tour or European Tour events. Not here! These guys become like teenagers. There are more fist pumps, high fives and hugs among them than anywhere else on the planet. It is borderline and somewhere far from refined golf etiquette. And that is why it is so great. And that is why I stayed up all night, three nights in a row.
These guys are competitors, namely the Americans against the Europeans. But they are not competitors but brothers. What does this explain? Moreover, how does this explain why their behavior is so contagious and so great to watch?
Here are a few powerful thoughts. First is the contest “nationalism” gone wild? There is real national and European spirit there. Men are like wild teens, screaming in joy after sinking an ordinary five-foot putt. The players give each other hugs between shots. These are long-lasting hugs. I saw one of the Europeans hug his team mate for at least 10 seconds. It was like hanging on before a crash.
The international media load pressure on these guys for weeks and months leading up to the event. Just being selected for the team is a great honor. Losing a match for your America or Europe is devastating. Winning brings bulging pride. It is OK at this event and only this one to blow it off and explode with joy or grief, and to show it right there to the whole world.
I think these guys also have a hard time sleeping those nights. Then, viewers see the very, very intense emotions of joy or disgust from the likes of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Ian Poulter. We rarely see this from these polished men. It is thrilling to see this human side of big heroes.
There should be a Global Cup, even bigger than the Ryder Cup. It could and should have Asian stars. Part of the team should also include the women professionals who are top in the world. A Ryder Cup-like event could be devised. It could be hosted by a Korean big name company. The first such Global Cup would, of course, take place here in Korea. Then, we would see the same range of human spirit, from agony to ecstasy that we just saw. This human emotional aspect of what just took place is every bit as great as the golf behind it!
The author is the founder and president emeritus of the California International Business University in San Diego, and currently a guest professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) in Seoul. Contact him at mcmismism@aol.com.
