Reflecting on the success of the European team last week, Fantasy Bob played down his own role in securing the Ryder Cup event for Scotland in 2014, a project in which he worked alongside all time sporting hero Gavin Hastings. They were part of the bidding team that attempted to secure the 2009 event for Scotland. (The schedules slipped a year because of the Twin Towers attack weeks before the 2001 competition.)
FB said, 'Scotland and Wales were locked together in competition. Gavin thought that a few up and unders into the opposition 22 would do the job. But Gavin's record against Welsh opposition was mixed and we failed to spot the large chequebook masquerading as a hooker in the opposition front row. This had our scrum in all sorts of trouble, so we never secured the quality possession we needed for our outstanding back line. St Andrews, Turnberry, Carnoustie and Gleneagles could have scored tries from any part of the field.'
It was no surprise to FB that the Welsh course flooded - this also happened during the Tour's inspection of the course in 2000. It seems to FB that Welsh pitches have always had moisture problems. FB recalls the mud baths that used to take place at the Cardiff Arms Park of old. Even now there are problems with the surface at the Millenium Stadium.
All credit to the European team who really dug in when it mattered. FB thought that G Mac and Westwood, in particular, were outstanding. But the event could do without the loutish crowd behaviours of constant chanting and pointing. Even more so it could do without the unsporting cheering of opposition misfortune or poor shots. Fantasy Bob failed to notice when the Ryder Cup was redesignated as a football match.
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