Thanks to my civic duty on Wednesday, this week’s Bunkers Mailbag is a day late — but that’s OK! That just means it gave you more time to submit your questions.
This week, you all had some pretty good questions and it was hard to select the five. Some were repeat questions, especially when it comes to Paula Creamer and the respect Lydia Ko has been getting.
It’s good to see that, even with the PGA Tour enjoying an off week last week, there was still plenty of hot golf topics to burn on. Without ’em, this would be quite boring.
As always, thanks for taking the time to write. You had questions, here are my answers:
Dave S., Stamford, Connecticut – “Is Paula Creamer the worst captain’s pick in team golf history? I mean, what has she done the last 18 months?”
First of all, to ask if Paula Creamer is the worst captain’s pick in team golf history is absurd and reckless. I mean, at the time I’m writing this, the Solheim Cup hasn’t even gotten kicked off yet. I understand why you might jump to that conclusion, and you’re right — Creamer has done nothing on the course lately to warrant the pick.
However — when it comes to team golf, there’s a lot to be said for “clubhouse players.” There are guys in Major League Baseball who bounce around the league, going from contender to contender, based solely on what they bring to a clubhouse from a chemistry standpoint, and I strongly believe this to be important in team rooms during the Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup and Presidents Cup matches.
In this case, Creamer is to team U.S.A what Ian Poulter would be to Europe, regardless of the year he’s having. You have to trust the track record here and few — if any — have the one that Creamer has in Solheim Cup competition.
So no — at this point — Creamer is not the worst pick in team golf history. In fact, there’s a chance she goes down as one of the best.
Bryan B., North Hollywood, California – “It seems like every year we see one of two players have breakout years — who are you looking at in 2016?”
Two players who will win in 2016 and burst into the psyche of the masses are Tony Finau and Matthew Fitzpatrick. Obviously, Finau’s name is one I’ve been saying a lot lately and one that is on the lips of many who follow the game closely. He never did collect a win in 2015, but that will certainly change next year.
Matthew Fitzpatrick is a player that many have heard of, but it’s time to really get to know him. In case you’ve missed it, Fitzpatrick has been one of the hottest players on the European Tour in recent weeks and, at just 21 years of age, will be a winner in 2016 — I guarantee it.
Pay attention to those names and you’ll be able to tell your friends you told them so next September.
Maria R., Phoenix, Arizona – “What is it going to take for Lydia Ko to be taken seriously?”
Well, I don’t think the correct term here is “seriously,” because I think everyone is doing that — but why isn’t her incredible 2015 season and rise to glory a bigger story? That I don’t know.
The issue of making women’s golf interesting to the masses has been an issue the LPGA and Ladies European Tour’s have struggled with for a long time. Personally, I love watching the LPGA. With stars like Ko and Michelle Wie and Lexi Thompson and all the supremely talented women on these tours, it’s tough to believe they don’t get more support.
As far as Lydia Ko goes, it’s only a matter of time before everyone stands up and takes notice. She’s just too good not to, regardless of gender. She has the opportunity to be better than Annika — and that’s going to get everyone’s attention sooner rather than later.
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Martin C., Sheffield, England – “If the Europeans win the Solheim Cup this week, will Americans be ready to admit that European golf, overall, is superior to American golf?”
Ahhh, no. I can appreciate your enthusiasm for Europe and European golf but neither myself, nor anyone else here is willing to admit there. Does Europe posses some incredibly talented golfers, some of whom are significantly better than Americans? Yes — but to say the continent is superior all around is absurd.
For me, the difference in these team competitions aren’t necessarily overall talent, but more to do with how they play as a team. Unfortunately, I feel like a lot of our stars took up golf because of the solitary nature. Because of that, they’ don’t have the ability to play to their full potential in a team environment. I think some of our biggest stars start pressing and that leads to under performing.
Honestly, for any European star you can name, I can give you an American counter of equal skill and achievement, so to expect me to admit something that untrue is absurd.
Jason N., Ocala, Florida – “One golf course you’ve played for the rest of your life — annnnnd go!”
Vineyard Golf Club on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. If you ever get the opportunity, I highly recommend it — unfortunately, you’ll never get to play the layout I had the opportunity to experience.
In 2012, the course underwent a re-design that eliminated the infinitely difficult par-3 8th hole. Before the new layout was built, the 8th hole was an absolute bear, with O.B. and a deep bunker on the left side, a sheer faced bunker as tall as me on the right and a 200 yard forced carry over a protected wildlife area.
Combine that with the island aesthetic that comes with playing on Martha’s Vineyard, the waving fescue, the sprawling fairways and links style test the course offers, I honestly can’t imagine playing any other course other than Vineyard Golf Club if I could only play one for the rest of my life.
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