In the Aftermath of the Ryder Cup:
Putting the "Ugly American" Behind Us

The tragic death of American golfer Payne Stewart in a plane crash recently has created an atmosphere of mutual mourning and consolation within the international golf world. It's ironic that it took such a dreadful tragedy to shift the focus from the missteps of the American Ryder Cup golfers and fans to a more admirable and noble portrait of American humility and grace.

In the London Evening Standard, where Americans had been characterized as "unsporting in victory" and "odious in defeat," Stewart has been lauded as a shining example of gentlemanly conduct and good sportsmanship.

The Standard is not the only British publication to laud Stewart's behavior at the Ryder Cup. An article in The Mirror entitled "Gent of the Course" said "Payne was upset and angered by the behavior of US fans during last month's controversial Ryder Cup contest in Boston where some hurled abuse at the European players and invaded the course before the tournament ended."

These positive memories of Stewart have dramatically changed the international perception of American golfers, which might alleviate some of the tension created at the Ryder Cup. However there still remains a stigma of bad sportsmanship, immature behavior, and abusive conduct. The net result of this American image crisis is that American athletes will have to work twice as hard to keep their behavior in check, because of the negative light that has been cast on American sports.

The Ryder Cup Incident

You've heard enough about the behavior of the Americans at the close of the Ryder Cup competition this September. Right now, you probably think it's old news - but unfortunately, its affects will not disappear as quickly as the headlines it created. A very negative impression of American sportsmanship remains, and the end of the Ryder Cup has become the beginning of a long-term image crisis for American athletes everywhere.

The Blunder

Sunday, September 26, 1999. After an embarrassing start on Friday morning, the American team rallies from an impossible 4-point deficit to regain the Cup. American captain Ben Crenshaw weeps as Justin Leonard sinks the putt that will win the cup for the American team.

Traditional golf decorum breaks down as players, caddies and officials storm the green to embrace him. While this is occurring, Europe's Jose Maria Olazabal still has a chance to keep Europe's chances alive with his own long putt. Later, he misses. After the victory, U.S. captain Ben Crenshaw apologizes, but for many competitors, it's too late.

The Reaction

The decorum breakdown was the final straw for many European competitors and fans. In addition to the inappropriate behavior exhibited on the green, the Europeans had endured days of taunting and insults from American fans that were supposedly encouraged by the US players. As if to add insult to injury, a spectator spat on European captain Mark James's wife during the competition. "It was just awful," she said. "There were lots of incidents of people telling us to go home."

The reaction in the British media was against American culture in general, not just the golfers and fans at the Ryder Cup. Headlines like "United Slobs of America Spat on Mark James' Wife," emerged soon after the American victory, and the British press reveled in the opportunity to air grievances. "The behavior of the American team . . . might have been juvenile, but it certainly wasn't surprising," wrote Martin Johnson in the Daily Telegraph, "This is a country which is so insular that most Americans still believe that the Second World War was won by John Wayne." The journalists' criticism became an indictment of America's culture, its people, its sportsmanship, and its and athletes.

The Mirror said, "Football hooligans act better than the way the Americans have treated the Ryder Cup over the last three days . . . Sporting relations between the two nations have now slipped to an all-time low." Again, the negative reaction toward all sporting relations has had far greater ramifications than just in golf. In the Sun, it was said that "American players and their fans belong in the gutter."

The Aftermath

The events at the Ryder Cup left a lingering bad taste in the mouths of many Europeans. "A lot of players will not be bothered competing in America again . . . We don't need to be treated like this," said James in remarks published widely in British newspapers.

"Personal attacks should never happen - and it's not just me on the receiving end of them nowadays. Most of the Europeans had a taste of the treatment over the weekend," said oft-heckled player Colin Montgomerie. James and Montgomerie have called for an alcohol ban at major golf events, including the 2001 Ryder Cup at the Belfry in England. "I learned over the weekend that Michelob beer is to be the official drink at the next Ryder Cup. To me, that does not make sense," Montgomerie said. "They should be thinking in terms of orange juice."

"Cheering when you miss putts or hit into bunkers is one thing. But personal abuse is something different. We are going to get into a situation where fights will break out if we don't stop this thing now," James had said.

The Lingering Aftershocks

Judging by the strong reaction in the British press, animosity toward American players will still exist at the 2001 Ryder Cup, which will be held at The Belfry in England. A September 27 article on CNN.com said, "The controversy may drag on for months, and surely will be remembered in two years when Europe gets home advantage at The Belfry." However Curtis Strange, the newly appointed captain of the 2001 team, remains optimistic. "The Belfry is not going to be as tough as people imagine,'' he said. ''They root hard for their own team, which they should.'' One of his first priorities will be talking with the European captain about the present tension. ''We're aware of what happened, and we don't expect it to happen again,'' Strange has said.