For Seve

Severiano Ballesteros, deceased, with his favorite trophy

The heavens send a message to the Ryder Cup faithful

Never underestimate the enduring spirit of the deceased. 

As shown in the miraculously triumphant, European Ryder Cup team, the spirit of their gone but not forgotten golfing warrior, Seve Ballesteros, carried them to victory in one of the most compelling victories in sporting history.

Astonishing really.  With Europe down not only on the scoreboard in points after Saturday, 10-6 in favor of the Americans, but, also in demeanor, they rallied on the second to last head to head finals match to win the coveted Ryder Cup on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in suburban Chicago.  Final score: Euros 14.5 pts, USA 13.5 points. Beautiful to Europe.  Ugly for the Americans.

What happened?  America seemed so overpowering in the first two days of team play.  But Sunday, the final day, the day of mano to mano finals, seemed to summon up within the Euro team an indomitable spirit beyond comprehension and with no thought of surrender.  And where did that come from?  Only the gods know...and Seve.

Their Sunday counter to Americans dominance after the first two days reminded me of the speech given by the King of Sparta, Leonidas, in 480 BC, as he led his 300 Spartan warriors against the Persian god-King Xerxes and his vicious horde of thousands, when he said to his men, "There is no retreat.  There is no surrender.  That is Spartan law." 

Leonidas is credited with that great no quit line in the face of certain defeat in BC but the Leonidas-like enduring spirit of Seve in AD permeated every player on the Euro team and they won.  Only difference, Leonidas died that day in Thermopylae but Sparta rallied years later to defeat the Persians, while joy came sooner to the Euros by channeling their inner spiritual leader, Seve.

Lesson learned by the Americans: never underestimate the soul of a man...or a team who believes in something bigger than themselves.

OLE...OLE...OLE...OLE!!!!!

Bravo to a thrilling weekend of sport.

Cheers.