Miracle at Medinah

As a huge fan of golf and sports in general, it was a treat for me to have a Sunday ticket to the 39th Ryder Cup held at Medinah Country Club outside of Chicago in the early Fall of 2012. Being able to see the top players in the world compete on behalf of their nations in the most pressure-packed golf event possible was an experience I will never forget. Witnessing the drama unfolding on Sunday was both agonizing and exhilarating! Even through all of the support us spectators provided: The chants of 'USA, USA, USA!', the cheering towards the American Players and the good natured yelling of approval upon a European missed putt, the Europeans ultimately came back to win in record setting fashion on Sunday.

Moving away from my traditional fiction reading, I picked up the sports non-fiction book, 'Miracle at Medinah' written by Oliver Holt. Having been witness to one of the greatest sporting events of 2012 (Or the greatest collapse, depending on your viewpoint), I was eager to read this in order to get additional insight into one of the most dramatic Ryder Cups ever contested. I was not let down by Holt's book in the least. Through reliving the largest Ryder Cup collapse by a home team in the event's history, I was able to gain much respect for the players that made up the European squad.

Holt did an excellent job writing the book in a way that made the story less about the outcome and more about the entire event. The role of famed golfer Seve Ballesteros who died in 2011, played a huge role in the event and was described wonderfully in the book. Many behind the scenes events and conversations make this book fascinating. Even though 'Miracle at Medinah' is written from an obviously European bias, I found the book to be an excellent read as an American golf fan. I recommend this book to all golf and sports fans in general! It was a pleasure to read the clever analysis as well obtain a glimpse of the event from a perspective that the normal viewer could not possibly see.

Martin Kaymer Winning the Ryder Cup in 2012 for Europe
(Somewhere in the Background I am Looking Disappointed)

As I watched from the 18th green, it was a huge letdown to see Martin Kaymer raise his hands in victory, but looking back on the moment, I am happy to have witnessed one of the great moments in sport. It is what sports is all about! Two teams trying their hardest to come out on top. Fans supporting their teams as much as they can. The most important thing is to respect the side that comes out on top and maybe even feel the slightest bit happy for their victory (Although not too much in this case!).

I am looking forward to the 2014 Ryder Cup being played at Gleneagles in Scotland! Hopefully the Americans can regroup and regain the cup! No matter what, it's bound to be exciting!

Jim Furyk and Me!

I had the pleasure of meeting and playing a few holes with Jim Furyk at the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in March of this year. Furyk is both very nice and easy to talk to. He definitely has a competitive side, but he is also very approachable. Not to mention, he is one of the greatest golfers of all time and is likely to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. I couldn't help but bring up the 2012 Ryder Cup to Furyk. His passion for the Ryder Cup through my brief conversation was plainly evident. The competitive nature Furyk has as well as the other Americans and the Europeans is what makes the event such a joy to watch! Furyk's classiness and competitiveness makes me hope he represents the USA again at the 2014 Ryder Cup!

The Ryder Cup brings out the best in the best players of the world and the best (and sometimes worst!) of fans. Be it American supporters shouting 'USA, USA, USA' or European fans right along side singing 'Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole', it is an amazingly spirited event to watch no matter what the outcome! It's a great thing to cheer on your team alongside fans of the opposing team. It's an even greater thing to respect the victorious side and congratulate them for their well fought victory!