Ryder Cup Scandal: R&A, Augusta National Appalled!

Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National, aired his profound frustration with the crowd's behavior. Mark Darbon, CEO of the R&A, was quick to concur: This was a significant blow to our cherished golf values.

The curious thing is: Ridley and Darbon were not sitting in a backroom crisis meeting, but were rather informally gathered at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Dubai. The tournament, which famously secures the winner a guaranteed spot at The Masters and The Open – not exactly insignificant for one's career!

But clearly, one topic eventually overshadowed the next tee shot in Dubai: The Ryder Cup! The legendary boorish behavior of the crowd at Bethpage Black, where it wasn't just about the ball, was at least as big a talking point as Europe's dominant 15-13 victory. What a remarkable triumph Europe had achieved! The two heavyweights of golf agreed: These scenes from New York had done our sport a great disservice.

Ridley put it succinctly in his press conference: "I don't think anyone was truly happy with what transpired this year."