Quite Possibly The World's Worst 36-Hole Complex Lands LPGA Event**

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They played here once, the women hated it, so they return again and this time add the vile Babe Zaharias course to the tournament's first two rounds, with the conclusion once again on the wretched Eisenhower 18. And that was when the resort had the wonderful Ralph Miller Golf Library, which has since been closed, so we are talking about a place with zero golf karma.
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Padraig Sure He Would Have Picked Padraig, Too

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But he's light on the justification for why he would pick himself. Well, he's got a few years before he's a Captain and a spin master, so we'll cut him some slack.

Lawrence Donegan reports:

"Absolutely, 100%," he says when asked if he would have picked himself. Asked to explain his certitude, and to measure his worth against that of the two players controversially overlooked by Montgomerie – Casey and Justin Rose – he demurs. "I'm comfortable with my opinion but I'm not going to say why."

Harrington, golf's most loquacious man, in "no comment" shock! Still, it is easy for others to make the calculations. In a team containing six rookies, the Irishman brings the extra ballast that comes with winning three majors. He has the experience of playing on five Ryder Cup teams, and winning three times. There may be better pure golfers on both teams, but it is doubtful whether anyone is more mentally equipped to cope with the pressure of the 1st tee in Wales.

“You really don’t have a decision to make on the Twenty Ten golf course until you get to the 14th tee."

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Mark Lamport-Stokes talks to Celtic Manor director of golf Jim McKenzie about the par-71 masterwork hosting the Ryder Cup and talks to him about the seven risk-reward holes. Thanks to reader Don for catching the quote that probably won't make some of us get up at 3 a.m. to watch the early holes of play.

In McKenzie’s view, the venue for the 2010 Ryder Cup effectively boils down to the final five holes in matchplay terms.

“You really don’t have a decision to make on the Twenty Ten golf course until you get to the 14th tee,” the Scot said during a telephone interview.

Show Me The Golf.com's Johnny Bryan takes us through the stretch where the decision making begins. Look past the kitchen sink of special effects and the 2 minute long intro,  because there are several interesting things to see here with the course, the setup and the grandstands going up.

"Once, we had plastic shoes and my sole came off during a match. It's not conducive to making you feel very good when you're wearing bloody rubbish."

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Bill Fields files a definitive look at the role Ryder Cup Captain's play, highlighted by some wonderful historical anecdotes. Dave Marr agonizing with "a lit cigarette in each hand," Dai Rees raking rough behind greens in 1957, and these from Tony Jacklin.
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"The sad reality for China, is that despite all the noise and activity, most of the golf is very disappointing, and unlikely to support or sustain the type of participation growth industry ‘insiders’ are fond of quoting."

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Dan Washburn posts an interesting email from Darius Oliver, who takes aim at the rush of mediocre, unsustainable golf courses popping up all over China.
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Prince Charles To Make Ryder Cup Appearance; Promises Not To Bellow On Like His Little Bro

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For Immediate Release      Thursday September 16, 2010

PRINCE CHARLES TO VISIT THE RYDER CUP

The Ryder Cup is set to be given a Royal seal of approval when His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales visits The Celtic Manor Resort in the build-up to the 38th biennial contest between Europe and the United States of America.

The Prince of Wales will attend part of the second official practice day on Wednesday September 29 and will meet respective Team Captains Colin Montgomerie and Corey Pavin at The Twenty Ten Clubhouse as well as Jim McKenzie, Director of Golf Courses and Estates Management of The Celtic Manor Resort, before undertaking a Tour of the complex’s vast Tented Village.

Ah yes, the dreaded hands behind the back tour pretending to look interested.

Ryder Cup Director Richard Hills said: “We are truly honoured that The Prince of Wales is to visit The Celtic Manor Resort during the week of The Ryder Cup. Having the contest staged in Wales for the first time is a huge honour for the country as a whole and we are delighted that His Royal Highness is able to join us and share in the celebrations.”

The visit to The Celtic Manor Resort is part of a full day of Ryder Cup related activity for The Prince of Wales on Wednesday September 29.

Following the course visit, His Royal Highness will attend an official Ryder Cup Dinner at Cardiff Castle where Captains Montgomerie and Pavin will introduce him personally to the 24 men who will make up the two respective Ryder Cup Teams.

Please, don't let him speak!!! We know what happened last time a royal family member shared his thoughts.

Hackel Gives Captainess "9.98" For Ryder Cup Uni's Despite Richie Cunningham-Turns-Mobster-On-Easter-Sunday Motif

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Golf Digest style guru Marty Hackel gives Captainess Lisa Pavin a rave review for the Ryder Cup uniforms, which do sound very cool thanks to some fun retro touches, but the lone item revealed prior to the September 19 embargo lifting sure looks like Banana Republic dressing our boys for a Mad Men picnic.  Not that we'll ever see any of it if the weather does its part.
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