Quotes Fire Up US Team

One of the things golf lacks that other sports swim in: bulletin-board material.

The U.S. Walker Cup team, however, has a couple of quotes in their virtual locker room that seem to have fired them up for this weekends matches in Ganton, England.

British Amateur champion Gary Wolstenholme was quoted in a newspaper interview as saying: ‘On the first tee you go up to your opponent and say ‘I’m playing a Titleist 2.’ If he’s playing a Titleist 2, that’s tough. It’s up to him to change it. You’re letting them play your game.

‘You go on the first green and say ‘Repair any pitch marks that you see. You don’t need to ask.’ He’s playing your game.

‘I always look people in the eye when I shake their hand. I’m not afraid of an individual, whether it’s Tiger Woods or Bill Clinton.’

Those quotes, though mild they may seem, are apparently enough to add to the Americans’ motivation.

When asked about the article, Trip Kuehne said: ‘It’s been a subject of conversation, but I don’t want to say any more about it.’

Wolstenholme beat Tiger Woods in the 1995 Walker Cup. The 43-year-old Englishman was a member of the winning teams in 1999 and 2001.

‘If somebody feels intimidated by the presence I have on the course I think that’s their problem,’ he added. ‘I want to set my own name in stone -- that’s what drives me on.

‘I want to win this match hugely, but I think there’s more pressure on me to perform this time and I think whoever plays me will be up for it. I’m used to that, though.’

The U.S. leads the 38-match series 31-6-1. Great Britain and Ireland have won the last two by 15-9 margins.

These matches will take place Saturday and Sunday at Ganton Golf Club in North Yorkshire, England.

Saturday’s Draw (GB&I vs. U.S.):

Foursomes
Gary Wolstenholme, Michael Skelton vs. Bill Haas, Trip Kuehne
Stuart Wilson, David Inglis vs. Lee Williams, George Zahringer
Nigel Edwards, Stuart Manley vs. Chris Nallen, Ryan Moore
Noel Fox, Colm Moriarty vs. Adam Rubinson, Casey Wittenberg

Singles
Gary Wolstenholme vs. Bill Haas
Oliver Wilson vs. Trip Kuehne
David Inglis vs. Brock McKenzie
Stuart Wilson vs. Matt Hendrix
Nigel Edwards vs. George Zahringer
Colm Moriarty vs. Chris Nallen
Noel Fox vs. Adam Rubinson
Graham Gordon vs. Casey Wittenberg