The captains decree: no Twitter during the Ryder Cup
The fail whale has sailed for both Ryder Cup teams.
Ryder Cup captains Corey Pavin and Colin Montgomerie have decreed that there will be no Twittering, Facebooking or other social-media'ing going on during the Ryder Cup.
The idea, obviously, is to keep the players focused on the task at hand, which is beating the living snot out of the other side. Tic-tic-tic'ing 140-character one-liners apparently doesn't further that goal.
"We have decided as a whole to not Tweet this week," Pavin said. "It can be a little bit distracting sometimes. I think it’s important to focus on the Ryder Cup and playing the matches and just enjoying camaraderie with the team itself. But first thing a week from today, I’m sure Tweeting will be all over the place."
"We feel that Tweeting and Facebook and all of these social sites can get one’s self into trouble," Montgomerie added, and I'm just happy we live in a world where Monty was forced to say the word "Tweeting."
The players reacted with varying degrees of resignation, as noted below (as always with Twitter, all entries sic'd for spelling/grammar/comprehensibility):
• Stewart Cink: "We're finally off to Wales!! Won't be tweeting until we get back. I guess I'll have to pass the down time actually reading or something."
• Rickie Fowler: "Guys I'm sorry to inform you but the news is true...we will not be allowed to tweet while we are in Wales...Cpt's orders!!"
• Bubba Watson: "This is last tweet till I get back from Wales!! Cheer hard for USA!!" [Editor's note: It wasn't.]
• Zach Johnson: "I have an unfortuante bit of news...I will not be able to tweet across the pond in Wales...capt's orders! Sorry. I appreciate the support!"
And Corey Pavin had this telling Tweet from Monday morning: "Okay, need to get to bed, if I can find my way there...the Captainess has seemed to think our whole house is her suitcase right now. HA"
So, disappointing news for those who liked to keep up with what pro golfers are eating or watching on television. Come on, fellas! Walter Hagen and Ben Hogan didn't have to ban Twitter! What's the matter, scared of that little blue bird?
