A Plea For Civility – Ryder Cup Edition

Look…I know that this article won’t impact the world as we know it. People will still be morons no matter what I say and there’s nothing that I can do to stop it. However, that doesn’t mean that I can’t at least try and can’t make an honest plea to the fine patrons attending the Ryder Cup this weekend at the Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota. If only one person listens, that’s good, but not great. Imagine though if two people listened….that’s the start of a following. And what if three hop on the bandwagon? Four? BOOM – we have the beginnings of a movement.

I love watching the Ryder Cup. It’s a great competition in a great sport and the various formats only add to the drama and intensity. So what am I complaining about?

The idiots in the crowd. I used to laugh when people talked about the infamous ‘golf clap’ and the subdued nature of the audience watching a golf tournament. As I’ve aged however, I now LONG for the days when the crowd would stand quietly and politely slap their hands together to signify their approval. I’m tired of the “BA-BA-BOOEY” shouts immediately after a drive (good or bad), tired of the random food shouts (“Filet Mignon!” – look it up – or please don’t), just completely tired of all of the pointless “Look at MEEEEEE” comments made by inane spectators immediately following shots.

Nowhere does this phenomenon rear its ugly head more than during the Ryder Cup. With the Ryder Cup you take all of the above comments and throw in a dose of ultra-nationalism and drunken homer-ism and you have the perfect recipe for turning the volume down on the TV, cranking up some Ramones and just enjoying the scenery.

So this is a plea to those attending this fine event. Please act like you’ve been there before. Your family and friends are NOT impressed if we see or hear you on the TV. In fact, it would be a good bet that they may take the opposite opinion and be slightly embarrassed FOR you.

Please, for all that’s good in this world, just stand there and give me a hearty golf clap.

Cover Photo via Flickr