Team Captains Langdon Moss and Jim Nelson Decry Boorish Behavior at Ryder Cup10/14/99: In a press conference today at The Country Club, site of the recent controversy in this year's Ryder Cup matches, Dr. James Nelson and J. Langdon Moss, Jr., respective Captains of The Country Club of Virginia and Willow Oaks Country Club, spoke of the pending River Cup matches to be contested October 22-24 in Richmond, Virginia.
The River Cup, a much storied and often imitated event (see Ryder Cup) is an annual affair between Willow Oaks and CCV. After the spectacle of The Ryder Cup, both Team Captains decided to address the golfing conmunty. Captain Nelson stated, "While all of The River Cup participants congratulate the American team on it's stirring and almost miraculous comeback, we do not anticipate, and in fact will not tolerate, the kind of behavior displayed by both the participants and the spectators. Therefore, there will be no beer sales during this year's River Cup matches. All players and fans must bring their own beer to the course. In addition, we have secured the services of Stone Cold Austin to provide both security and crowd control during the matches. Any rowdiness will be dealt with immediately and severely and may result in a spectator being asked to leave the property or even receive an elbow drop."
Captain Moss added, "I have spoken to all of my players about their on-course conduct and hope that they got the message. Specifically, I addressed them about the shocking behavior on the 17th green following Justin Leonard's putt. Our players will not dash across the green following a made putt to congratulate a Willow Oaks player. They will wait politely until after Brother Scott has missed his two footer and then dash across the green."
When asked about the controversy surrounding the disbursement of Ryder Cup revenues, Captain Nelson talked about this year's River Cup finances. "There will be no changes in compensation to the players. If they can't get excited about playing for their club, then they should give up the game." River Cup Treasurer Eddie Eddins echoed those sentiments when contacted later at his ski chalet in Switzerland. "The profits from the River Cup all go to charity so I don't understand why the players are beefing." When asked which charity is the beneficiary, Eddins snapped "Hlow should I know?! I'm sure that it's a worthy cause. Now excuse me, my private jet is waiting to take me to Pebble Beach for some practice rounds."
In closing, Captain Moss stated, "The Ryder Cup was an amusing little exhibition and I'm surethat all of our players watched some of it if they weren't out doing yardwork. But the JV matches are over now - now it's time for the Varsity to play."
Matches will commence with fourball action at The Country Club of Virginia on Friday, October 22 and will conclude on Sunday, October 24 with singles matches at Willow Oaks Country Club.