Scott & Laura: 39th Ryder Cup

This year was the 39th Ryder Cup and was hosted on home turf. After losing a tragic loss of just half a point 2 years ago, the United States team was excited and anxious to try and take the title back in front of their home crowd. This year's Ryder Cup was held at Medinah Country Club in Chicago, Illinois.

Southwest Airlines has had a partnership with Sports Illustrated to host events at the various golf Majors. It has been known as Sports Illustrated at the Majors Presented by Southwest Airlines. With Sports Illustrated, Southwest Airlines would set up a tent or area close to the Major golf event and allow any to come in and see the various activities we had. At this particular event we were located at the beautiful Navy Pier and were trying to attract hundreds as they were enjoying the beautiful weekend. We had a top 100 Golf Magazine instructor on site to help anyone with their swing and give quick tips to help them improve. We had a stage where SI writers would come and speak about the Ryder Cup and highlight the day. Also available, was a chance to be on the cover of SI! They had a green screen set up with various covers you could put your picture on and send to your friends. The highlight of the tent though was in the center where people could putt for a chance to win free flights and a t-shirt from Southwest Airlines. It was a busy event and a very lively crowd. I was sent there to help answer any questions and to represent Southwest to anyone that walked in.

The perks of this trip was that we were given tickets to the Ryder Cup and we were able to spend Friday afternoon at Medinah (when the US was still winning!) It was a beautiful course and a HUGE crowd was in attendance. I enjoyed walking around the course and being face to face with the top golfers in the world. Laura discovered that she is not a golf fan and probably never would be! Tiger Woods walked around the corner as we were standing at the 14th tee and I said, "Laura look! It's Tiger Woods!" In her sweet ignorance of golf and one of the best golfers ever to play the game, she must of thought I said there was a tiger in the wood because she didn't look very impressed. She loved being outside and enjoying the scenery but we discovered that when as grow old you will NEVER see both of us on the golf course, on purpose.

I was like a kid in a candy store being able to watch and cheer on team USA as they looked strong on Friday and Saturday and there seemed to be a glimmer of hope that the cup would return to the US, but in a surprise turn of events the US lost their swagger and give up the win on Sunday to lose the Ryder Cup by 1 point! By the end of the matches on Sunday it was another opportunity lost for team USA but it was a great experience for any sports fan. I asked Laura if we go to the next Ryder Cup in Scotland and she gave me her beautiful smile and a look in her eyes that said, "did you learn nothing by taking me to a golf event!?" If we attend the next Ryder Cup in 2 years, it may be me on the course and Laura enjoying the beautiful land of Scotland... we'll see what happens but don't hold your breath for a post from the Ryder Cup in Scotland.