Ryder Cup Mumbo Jumbo

In the aftermath of the recent U.S. Ryder Cup victory, there has been speculation about the reasons for the Americans' success. Most of the credit seems to go to the "brilliant" management and tactics of team captain Paul Azinger: dividing the 12 members into three stylistically similar groups of four, called pods; employing a team psychologist; and trying to create an environment "where each player could succeed by being themselves". What this really sounds like is so much New Age mumbo jumbo.

Prior to this year, the European squad had won 8 out of the last 11 competitions, but as far as we know they were podless. Prior to that, the Americans dominated the Cup for more than a decade with no psychologist, or even an acupuncturist or reflexologist, in evidence. Isn't it just possible, evenly remotely possible, that the Americans won at Valhalla because they happened to outplay the Europeans for three days in September?

A Tale of Two Cups - Ryder and Davis

The European team opened its defense of the Ryder Cup today in Kentucky. Over the past 10 years or more, this international competion has been transformed from a rather obscure event into one of golf's more compelling showcases with large, enthusiastic, flag-waving crowds and strong television ratings. Even without the presence of Tiger Woods this year, there is still a significant buzz leading into the latest chapter of this American-European rivalry.

Contrast this with another international sporting event taking place this weekend in Madrid - the U.S. vs Spain in tennis' Davis Cup. Even finding mention of it in the sports pages could pose a serious challenge. Quick. What is the Davis Cup? Who won the last Davis Cup? When did the United States last win? What is the format? If you answered "I don't care" to any or all of these questions, go to the head of the class. The Davis Cup was once a venerable tradition dating back to the amateur days of tennis when the men played in long white trousers. It continued to be popular in the golden era of tennis in the 1970's and early 80's. However, as tennis has declined in popularity over the last 20 years, so has the Cup. Now, it is a dinosaur sandwiched into a crowded schedule containing too many nondescript events. To make matters worse, the matches are dragged out for months.

The tennis powers-that-be should take a lesson from the Ryder Cup. A format for the Davis Cup should be devised so that the entire tournament could be played over one weekend. Otherwise it will continue to be a variation of the witness protection program - athletes with unfamiliar names playing in exotic places.