Yeah, I'm going to say it:
The U.S.A. team will win Ryder Cup 2016 at Hazeltine National in Minnesota.
Yes, you have my permission to call me delusional, a big-time homer or maybe even an idiot (it won't be the first time) for making this bold prediction.
In the tradition of historic successful predictions made by Joe Namath in the 1969 Super Bowl and Mark Messier in the 1994 N.H.L playoffs, I believe our boys in red, white and blue will bring the Ryder Cup back to American soil.
I can already hear the naysayers out there on the Internet Highway: The Guru's had one too many single-malts, all of the cumulative jet lag has rattled his smallish brain or he's just, well, an idiot.
The Guru understands your skepticism. After all, the Euros have won six out of the last seven and four straight Ryder Cups.
That said, here are my reasons the U.S.A. will be spraying champagne on the final day after the singles matches:
NO IAN POULTER--Due to a foot injury, "Poults" will not be a playing member of the European team, although he'll be a vice captain. Poulter has been the heart and soul of the Euro team with his passion and commitment to Ryder Cup. He rallied his troops at Gleneagles in 2014 with spirited play and timely shots and he was the key player in the amazing European comeback at Medinah in 2012, where he was the top points scorer from either side. Just as impressive is Poulter's incredible run of five birdies in a row to close out his Saturday four ball match with Rory McIlroy against Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson when Europe was trailing 10-4 and seemingly dead in the water. That match pretty much started the miracle comeback.
PATRICK REED IS IN-YOUR-FACE--The pugnacious, irascible Reed is the type of take-no-prisoners player the U.S.A. team has been missing. His famous finger-to-the-lips "shooshing" of the crowd after sinking a putt at Gleneagles in Scotland in 2014 is the stuff of legend now. Reed went 3-0-1 at Gleneagles and never once backed down to the crowd or opposing players. Nobody on the American team played better than Reed at Gleneagles. The U.S.A. finally has someone as defiant and passionate as Ballesteros and Poulter and Reed should make a big difference at Hazeltine National.
TEAM U.S.A.WILL FINALLY SINK PUTTS WHEN THEY COUNT--In many ways, Ryder Cup matches evolve into putting contests. The Euros have sunk them in timely moments and the U.S.A. has not. I predict that will change in 2016. This year the U.S.A. is bringing some serious flatsticks to the moss. The U.S.A. team has six players in the top 30 in the PGA Tour's Putting Average (through the weekend ending 9/19/16): Jordan Spieth (T1), Dustin Johnson (3), Phil Mickelson (5), Brooks Koepka (T16), Matt Kuchar (T16) and Brandt Snedeker (26). The top European player is Rory McIlroy at T31, which is where U.S.A Captain's Pick J.B. Holmes is also slotted. I certainly comprehend that several of the European players don't play a full PGA Tour schedule, but the numbers are still impressive for the U.S.A. The putts are gonna drop this year and propel the U.S.A. to victory.
I've been to a World Series, Orange Bowl game, NCAA basketball tournament games, major NASCAR races and a host of other big time sports events.
My best sports spectator experience, however, was the 2014 Ryder Cup matches at Gleneagles in Scotland.
Nothing, and I mean nothing, compares to the patriotic fervor, passion and drama of the Ryder Cup matches. The raucous crowds and cheers that reverberate from one fairway to another give the event the feel of a golf tournament in a soccer stadium.
Watching the best players in the world play for their country just elevates the importance of every putt, every drive and every point won.
If you have the time, money and inclination, I strongly encourage you attend in person to adequately immerse yourself in Ryder Cup mania.
The Course
Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis, is one of America's great championship layouts. Opened for play in 1962, this Robert Trent Jones design is a popular choice for some of golf's biggest events. Hazeltine hosted the 1970 and 1991 U.S. Opens, 2002 PGA Championship and 2009 PGA Championship.
Minneapolis/St. Paul
For playing golf, shopping, dining, nightlife and gaming, the Twin Cities has lots of options. There are more than 65 golf courses within a 20 mile radius of the metropolitan area; the Mall of America is the largest shopping and entertainment complex in the U.S. with more than 400 stores; there's a great selection of restaurants such as Alma (New American), I Nonni (Italian) and Butcher & The Boar (American/Beer Garden) to name a few; the North Loop in the Warehouse District is brimming with nighttime activities and there are several casinos within easy driving distance.
Spieth v. McIlroy
Most likely, phenom Jordan Spieth will lead the U.S.A. team against a European team led by Rory McIlroy. The 2016 teams (based on current standings) look like they'll be young, dynamic and exciting. As of March 14, 2016, Jordan Spieth, Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler top the U.S.A. standings. On the European side, Rory McIlroy, Danny Willett, Andy Sullivan and Matthew Fitzpatrick lead the way.
The Captains
Two of golf's most respected elder statesmen, Davis Love III and Darren Clarke are the captains of the 2016 Ryder Cup teams. Low-key, but fiercely competitive Love has Ryder Cup captain experience at the 2012 matches at Medinah C.C. The popular and affable Clarke served as vice captain in the European wins in 2010 and 2012.
How to Go
If you want to attend, I recommend Premier Golf, a highly respected golf travel company based in Atlanta, Georgia. They've been licensed since 1991 by the PGA of America as the exclusive distributor of official Ryder Cup packages. Their travel specialists have planned and executed a wide variety of Ryder Cup trips for hundreds of clients and they have more experience than anybody in coordinating attendance to this event.
You can choose from a list of packages that includes the Ultimate Ryder Cup Experience with accommodations at the JW Marriott starting at $6,995 per person, double occupancy to the economical Blue Tee Package at the Commons Hotel starting at $2,895 per person, double occupancy. Other packages include Championship Tee (Hyatt Regency Minneapolis); Resort Package (Mystic Lake Casino Hotel); Gold Tee (Radisson Hotel Bloomington By Mall of America); Gold Tee (Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot); Blue Tee (Best Western Plus Bloomington) and Blue Tee (Residence Inn at The Depot).
All packages include: Four nights accommodations (Thursday Sept. 29-Monday Oct. 3), breakfast daily, Ryder Cup Season Ticket (Thurs.-Sunday), Round-trip transportation daily (between your hotel and Hazeltine National Golf Club), Welcome reception and Ryder Cup Gift.
Some of the optional add-ons include VIP Hospitality upgrade, International Pavilion upgrade (Thurs.-Sunday), additional nights accommodations (ask for quote) and practice round tickets.
I suspect these packages are moving pretty fast. Click to PREMIER GOLF for information or call one of their travel specialists at 866-260-4409.
