Darren Clarke & The Ryder Cup at Gleneagles stooshy

[John_Findlay]

I see that DC has told the press today that he reckons the Jack Nicklaus-designed Centenary course at Gleneagles is a bad venue for the Ryder Cup in 2014. "It's too American and there are 2 better courses at Gleneagles alone" basically.

If you're watching the Johnnie Walker coverage on Sky at the moment you'll get the idea.

Not sure if I agree with him. What was the Belfry but a mind-numbingly dull American style parkland course with 2 decent holes? At least the Centenary course has some scenery.

Does the Ryder Cup need to be played on our best courses?

 

[Golfer2112]

I think DC is quite right: The Centenary is a pale shadow of the Kings and Queens and it is too American. Sure, it has some good holes but I didn't enjoy it.

The Ryder Cup should be played at Loch Lomond but obviously there are a lot of politics behind the decision to go to Gleneagles and I don't think the Kings or Queens could be stretched to a suitable length.

 

[Steve_V]

I think the course is irrelevant, the USA won at Kiawah Island, which is the closest thing they have to a real links course and we've beaten them on pure target golf courses. The only criteria that stops any championship standard course from being considered is how short it is and how easy it is to accommodate the huge number of punters that turn up. This is why the wonderful Merion in the States and our own venerable Prestwick can no longer be used for these sort of events.

 

[madandra]

Forgive my ignorance but was the K-Club not 'AMERICAN' in its set up?
And we humped them on that !

 

[John_Findlay]

Exactly. It was designed by Palmer. Did have some excellent finishing holes which provided a lot of drama.

 

[thebelgie24]

lets not forget the Belfry either boys

 

[RGuk]

Well, I don't know it, but anything is better than the Brabazon.
I'm anti the Brabazon (having played and walked/watched) not least because of the crazy green fee. I don't blame them (as such) because you might as well milk the corporate cash cow. But if real golfers turn up....well....if a 4-ball books from a genuine club, it ought to be cheaper.

If this centenary course is "american style" a la oxfordshire/warwickshire etc. then it might seem a daft idea.....but look at the problems brits have had on classic links at the Open venues.

Dave

 

[furyk_or_unique]

To a slightly cynical non-Darren Clarke lover, could this not just be the ill-thought out ramblings of a fiery-tempered Irishman on his way to a 56th place finish at Gleneagles, thus pocketing a measly 6,300 euros. Would he have said the same if he'd won?

Expect his mind was thinking what the hell am I doing here rather than playing for $100 million dollars (or whatever it is) in the FedEx Farce across the pond. The fact is he just isn't playing well enough, and great players who've lost their form tend to say rash things (i.e. Monty)

And anyway, as others here have pointed out, since when in the last 25 years or so has the Ryder Cup venue decision been based on anything other than money?

Sorry about that, just went off on one there - will now revert to 'mild-mannered janitor' status for future posts....