Ryder Cup Review – Team Behan Hold Off Late Surge

This weekend saw the return of the Ryder Cup at Tryon Country Club, a contest between two teams of twelve players over two days and four nine-hole formats (Scramble, Best Ball, Alternate Shot, and Singles). Though the weather was damp, spirits remained high as smack talk crackled back and forth on the putting green early Saturday morning in preparation for one of the most popular events at the club.

Team Captains this year were savvy veteran and retired PGA professional Keith Beaver and Simon Behan (which, full disclosure, is me). Teams were drafted, matchups made, and the stage was ready for drama of the highest order.

With wind and rain greeting golfers on the first tee, some speculated that weather conditions might not be conducive to low scores. No one told Bill Bayse and Jerry Perry. After parring the first hole, they rattled off five birdies in a row, a stunning barrage that confounded opponents Ed Weatherby and Ronnie White. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” mused Ed at the turn, “Just not much you can do.”

Not to be outdone, Evan Jones and Scott Marinski made some noise of their own. They poured in birdies from all angles en route to front nine 29 (!), answering the call for Team Behan. Elsewhere, Travis Aldred’s putter stayed hot and Ethan Waldman and Cliff Cameron picked up an important point against Dave Gunter and Roger Dehnel. After one round of play, the teams were tied at three points apiece.

In the afternoon, the sun emerged as the competition heated up. Local legend Hub Arledge teamed up with grandson Evan, scoring a momentum-building victory over low-handicapper Mario Mason and teammate Brian Jernigan. Hub finished the weekend a flawless 4-0, putting himself squarely in the MVP conversation. Captain Keith Beaver and Ethan Waldman held off Aldred and Jones on the final hole to keep things close. At the half-way mark, the score was 7-5 in favor of Team Behan.

Dustin Fry found himself at the heart of this year’s clothing controversy. Captain Beaver’s seemingly simple instructions called for blue shirts on Saturday, white on Sunday. Dustin wore the same shirt both days and on neither occasion managed to comply with attire requirements.

Sunday featured alternate shot, by far the most challenging format of the weekend, and singles, where a trailing team can make up ground quickly. Bill Bayse and Jerry Perry reunited for another win, while Dave Gunter and Ed Weatherby kept the pressure on with a big win against Russ Rabenstein and George Torres. Mason and Cameron battled hard for a ½ point against Jones and Aldred, but by the end of the morning round Team Behan had built a substantial five point lead. The score was 11 ½ to 6 ½ with twelve singles matches still to come.

Team Beaver wasn’t done yet, however. Spurred on by their captain’s big win over the hot Scott Marinski, they mounted an almost inevitable comeback. As rounds finished and players gathered in the gallery with hoppy beverages of all kinds, the score was 15-13 with two matches still on the course. The scenario was simple. If Team Beaver won both, we were going to a playoff. In the end, Ed Weatherby and Dave Gunter both scored victory-sealing points for Team Behan, leaving the final score 17-13.

Another fantastic weekend of golf, reverie, and, most importantly, camaraderie. Thanks to Gerald for another seamless performance and to Brian and his crew for their work on the course, which is back to its best in time for the summer.