I've been lucky enough to be at the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine in Minnesota, USA, this weekend, and what an incredible spectacle it was!
Perfect weather, fabulous golf, but above all - amazing passion and commitment from both players and supporters. The Americans were obviously up for it from the start (supported and buoyed by the constant chants of "USA! USA!" from the home crowd) - winning the first morning's foursomes 4-0. The Europeans fought back courageously, only to be overwhelmed on the last day.
I know golf isn't everyone's 'bag', but this competition turned into pure theatre on the last day when the two most passionate players from each side went head to head in the singles. There was nothing between these guys - playing unbelievable golf - each brilliant shot or score being matched by the other, until the 8th hole where Rory McIlroy sank a 40 foot 'bomb' for a birdie and went ballistic, slightly unhinged even - cupping his ear and taunting the now silent American crowd by screaming "I can't hear you!" - only to be matched when Patrick Reed, his opponent, then followed him into the hole from 25 feet away.
Despite the passions running high, the two players fist-bumped and patted each other on the back as they left the green - real sportsmanship, appreciating the fierce competition and one another's amazing golfing ability.
Of course, the rest is history. Rory eventually lost to Patrick on the last green and Europe also lost the cup - but it was the spirit, passion and sportsmanship of the competition that truly impressed me.
Despite what might have been reported in the media, the crowd were very well behaved; a bit partisan perhaps, as you would expect, but I never saw or heard anything that would have alarmed or offended me - everybody was supporting their team and enjoying the competition. It all seemed very good natured, with lots of banter between the opposing fans.
What has this got to do with Travel, you might ask? Well, apart from the obvious sports tourism and it next being held in Paris in 2018 it's a bit like the SPAA in some ways. We all have a passion for the travel business and whilst we are all competitors and sometimes might go head-to-head for the same business, we are all prepared to shake hands and respect each other at the end of the day. Long may it continue.
