Question of the week [November 18-24]: What is your opinion about players being compensated to play in the Ryder Cup?
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Everything is becoming pay-to-play. That being said, there still needs to be play for the love of the game and country. The players get top-notch accommodations and meals, some nice swag and other perks. If you feel you need to be payed, then don’t play. There are plenty of players that would love to play.
Bob Durrbeck
Tinley Park, Illinois
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Who cares? All of the financial shenanigans and mismanagement by the supposed Ryder Cup brain-trust have shown us all, once again, that money ruins everything. Pay the b-st-rds if you must, but remember nobody cares about those who just care about anything but money.
Sorry for the rant but it is getting offensive when multimillionaires demand to be paid to play a game of marbles.
Pete Croppo
Bayfield, Ontario
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Make it interesting. Pay for points. Deduct for losses. No appearance fees.
Jay Rogers
St Louis, Missouri
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If the PGA Tour wants to adopt an image of highly paid, greedy pro athletes — like the other major sports possess — then do so at their own peril. I hope the PGA of America saves them and their image as merit based, of charity and of honor.
So, other than a generous compensation for expenses for players, team and family, I suggest no further compensation.
Gary Stauffenberg
Phoenix, Arizona
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Zero doubt that every player would play for free — all expenses paid for their families, of course — but there is also zero doubt that they are being taken advantage of based on their names, likeness and popularity. This is now a huge money event with strict rules that the players cannot wear their individual sponsor apparel, must perform interviews and are video taped constantly. They give up so much privacy.
How about $3.6 million to pay the players? Chump change for this event. The players need to pay their caddies after all. I do draw my lines, though. Do not pay the coaches. Why the hell do you need four or five of them? Well, I guess they need a travel boondoggle since they were never paid for the event in past years.
Duane Zeurcher
Albuquerque, New Mexico
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I’m dead set against this. What’s wrong with playing for pride and country? If the U.S. players feel like they need to be paid to participate in the Ryder Cup, then I’ll probably not watch it or I will root for the Europeans. All this money is ruining the sport.
Chuck Dunlap
Lexington, South Carolina
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Players should not be paid to play in the Ryder Cup. If you can’t play a tournament every two years for your country without being paid, then just say no to your selection and let the Captain pick someone else. By doing this we’ll all know who we can cheer for going forward.
Frank Popish
Aurora, Colorado
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The answer is simply no. Sure, expenses, travel and accommodations should be covered, but that is it. These guys' records will indicate they have made tons of money, so the solution is simple: If you want you get paid, give up your spot to a player who is just happy playing for his country.
Peter Boyce
Strathroy, Ontario
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I am strongly of the opinion that players should get paid to play in the Ryder Cup. The competition as it is defined between Europe, England and the United States is comprised of: 1, Head-to-head matches between the two sides; 2, Players from their respective regions playing under their flag.
As we have seen this year with the outlandish ticket prices, money is a huge part of this event. As such we can't avoid the monetary and commercial aspect that has emerged in recent years given the enormous popularity of the Ryder Cup. Since everyone gets paid, why would you not include the players? Why exclude the very people who comprise "the show." How is it right that the main combatants are expected to "work for free"?
I appreciate the romantic and patriotic notion of "playing for your country" and representing your flag. With all other aspects of this competition drowning in money, how is it appropriate that the players are the only ones who receive no renumeration?
Reid Farrill
Toronto, Ontario
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The current batch of professional players tend to be solely focused on the money, so I'm not surprised they whined and complained until they got paid, and will now do the same about the lowly amount.
An alternative would be for the Ryder Cup to be a fundraising event for youth golf or municipal golf courses or something other than a pro’s pocket.
Rather than getting paid, the professionals would reach into their own pockets to contribute to the cause.
Mark Chatfield
Houston, Texas
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If this policy had been bandied about 20 or 30 years ago, I’m sure the overwhelming number of responses would have been “No, they shouldn’t be paid.” However, this once noble contest with so many charming examples of sportsmanship through the years has been ruined by the Ryder Cup teams on both sides with their boorish celebrations, crowd taunting and crowd inciting. A shame.
Given the recent avaricious changes made by the PGA Tour board, being paid is certainly in keeping with their insatiable greed.
Vinny Mooney
Poughkeepsie, New York
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Front: The Ryder Cup on display at the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in Paris, France.
Photo: Phil Inglis | Golffile