You can’t spell “fanatic” without the word ’fan,’ and in sports, both players and fans are motivated by emotion. For those of us who enjoy watching professional golf, there’s no bigger event than the Ryder Cup.
A dozen of the best Europeans take on their 12 American opponents for bragging rights in this once-every-two-years match. This time around, the 45th edition is being played on one of the most challenging public golf courses you’ll find anywhere, Bethpage Black on Long Island in the city of Farmingdale, N.Y.
Every head coach in sports has their own style, and U.S. Captain Keegan Bradley is no exception. On Monday, he invited a New York Fire Department Lieutenant to motivate his team, but not just any FDNY officer.
“Go out there and play like you have the country on your back – because you do,” Chris Mascali said. The jacket and helmet worn by Mascali’s father, Joe, who lost his life trying to save others on 9/11, are on display here in the Team USA locker room as a constant reminder that there are things more important than sports and larger than any one individual.
“I had this vision of doing that for about a year,” Bradley said. “And to be out there and see it, and see how emotional the guys got, was a really special time for our team.”
When Team USA steps onto the course, they carry the spirit of every hero who gave everything for something greater.
Bradley himself is an emotional player, so this approach of preparing usually solo practitioners to perform as a cohesive team was no surprise to those who know him. If the Americans prevail on home soil, he will be remembered as one of the greatest captains in history.
“My main goal is to put these players in a position to play well,” Bradley said. “And when you do that… the guys can go out and perform at their highest level.”
The 39-year-old Vermont native, whose time on this course dates back to his college days at St. John’s, won on the PGA TOUR this past season and performed well enough to earn a spot as a player. However, he selflessly chose to lead his team to victory as strategist-in-chief instead.
Since the first Ryder Cup in 1927, the U.S. has only lost four times at home, most recently when Europe staged a dominant comeback to win on the final day at Medinah in 2018. Two years ago in Italy, Europe swept the Friday morning session and went on to secure a significant victory margin. Luke Donald was the captain then, and now.
“We’re here to try and do it again,” said Donald, who arrived with a familiar team of great players that’ll give all they have for him. “Just like in other sports, coaches… they have an impact on the game. There’s so much preparation that goes into this… you hope that, as the captain, you have some kind of influence on the end results.”
And that brings us back to the fan factor, as cheers, jeers, and emotions are sure to build up in the moments leading to representatives from one continent or the other taking possession of the Ryder Cup on Sunday.
