Sunday, September 16, 2001
Ryder Cup postponed for one
year
By KRYSTYNA RUDZKI
Associated Press Writer
LONDON (AP) — The Ryder Cup was postponed
for one year on Sunday because of terrorist attacks that left
the American team wary of traveling and uneasy about playing.
The European Ryder Cup board said the showcase
event, scheduled for Sept. 28-30 at The Belfry in England, will
be played in September 2002 at the same location.
The PGA of America informed the European
board that the scope of Tuesday's strikes in New York and Washington
was “so overwhelming” that it would be “impossible”
for the U.S. Ryder Cup team to attend.
“We have been placed in a position
beyond our control and therefore the matches, out of necessity,
have been postponed,” European Ryder Cup Board spokesman
Mitchell Platts said.
Tiger Woods had already pulled out of this
week's Lancome Trophy in Paris.
“I feel strongly that this is a time
to pause, reflect and remember the victims of Tuesday's horrific
attack,” he said on his Web site.
European Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance
said the decision was one of “common sense.”
“What happened in America last week
has put the Ryder Cup and everything else into perspective,”
he said. “I am desperately heartbroken for all the people
involved in this terrible tragedy.
“All I can feel at the moment is an
immense sadness. There will be time enough to talk further about
the 34th Ryder Cup matches taking place next year.”
U.S. captain Curtis Strange called the postponement
“very appropriate in light of the situation.”
“The tragedy in America caused us all
to reflect and evaluate our own lives and relationships with family
and friends,” he said. “Our hearts and prayers go out
to all those affected by last Tuesday's disaster.”
The Ryder Cup, which began in 1927 and is
played every other year, was interrupted for six years during
World War II. It has become one of the biggest events in golf,
and this year's matches were especially anticipated.
Two years ago, the United States pulled
off the greatest comeback in history with a 45-foot putt by Justin
Leonard and a celebration that offended the European team.
Jim Awtrey, chief executive officer of PGA
of America, said the organization appreciated the respect shown
by the Ryder Cup board.
“Given the enormity of the tragedy
in America, we informed European officials of our desire to postpone
the matches until next year,” Awtrey said.
“We understand this is a hardship for
them to reschedule the matches next year ... but it was important
to us that the matches be played and not canceled,” he added.
“We will work with our counterparts
in Europe over the next year to ensure that the 34th Ryder Cup
matches are played in the spirit in which they were meant.”
The invitation for the U.S team and officials
had not been withdrawn but extended, Platts said, and the process
of rescheduling the matches for 2002 would begin as soon as possible.
The matches will take place with the same
captains — Torrance and Strange — and the same 10 players
and two wild cards on each squad.
Woods had stressed his concern about making
the trip to Paris.
“I have always felt that I must be
fully committed to each and every golf competition I enter, but
due to this week's events, I am not,” he said. “I also
fear that the security risks of traveling overseas at the present
time are too great.”
The PGA Tour will resume this week after
calling off a tournament. PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said
his organization supports the Ryder Cup postponement.
“It became apparent over the last several
days that the challenges posed by international travel and time
away from families for innumerable fans and sponsors of the Ryder
Cup matches made it impossible to hold to the original schedule,”
he said.
European Ryder Cup rookie Pierre Fulke of
Sweden said most of his teammates wanted to play but fully understood
the reasons for the postponement.
“Under the circumstances it's the only
decision that could have been made,” he said. “Everybody's
gut feeling after Tuesday was that the Ryder Cup would be in danger
and you have to understand the American players who did not want
to travel, and it's the only decision.”
Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
Send the URL (Address)
of This Story to A Friend:
|
