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Desert duels In 18 Ryder Cups on American soil, two have taken place in the Southland — both in the Coachella Valley. The 1955 competition was held at Thunderbird Country Club in Rancho Mirage, while Eldorado Country Club in Indian Wells hosted the event four years later. The United States won each time by similar tallies — 8-4 in ’55 and 8.5-3.5 in ’59.  Mr. Ryder Cup Billy Casper (above) is the most prolific player in U.S. Ryder Cup history. Competing in eight consecutive Cups beginning in 1961, the San Diegan played 37 matches and garnered 23.5 points, both of which are American records. Plus, Casper captained the U.S. squad to a 17-11 victory in 1979, the first year in which continental Europeans were allowed to play. Local pride The United States didn’t lose a single Ryder Cup between 1959 and 1983, and other Southern Californians besides Casper were instrumental in that success. San Diego native Gene Littler compiled 18 points in seven appearances (his 14-5-8 all-time record includes a 5-0-4 mark in four-ball matches). USC graduate Al Geiberger (5-1-3 record in two appearances) and San Bernardino resident Dave Stockton (3-1-1 record in two appearances) also thrived.  War on the Shore While the Gulf War carried on in the Middle East late in 1991, patriotism was rampant as the Americans staged a memorable battle with the Europeans at Kiawah Island’s famous Ocean Course. Stockton (above) was captain, and the U.S. eeked out a 14.5-13.5 victory when European Bernhard Langer missed a 5-foot par putt on the last hole of the final singles match that would have allowed the Euros to retain the cup. The comeback The most memorable comeback in Ryder Cup history came in 1999 at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass. Down by four points entering Sunday’s singles matches, the U.S. miraculously seized control with wins in the first seven matches of the day. Three of those victories came courtesy of Southern Californians Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Steve Pate. America ended up winning 14.5-13.5.  The last decade: Turmoil and hope After the 1999 triumph, the U.S. squad fell into a serious funk and lost each of the next three Ryder Cups by sizeable margins. One of the lowest points for the team came on home turf at Oakland Hills Country Club in 2004, when the dream partnership of Mickelson and Woods (above) turned out to be a nightmare (0-2 record) and San Diego’s Chris Riley was embroiled in controversy after saying he was too tired to play.  The tide turned in 2008 thanks largely to two young local stars — Los Angeles native Anthony Kim and Orange native Hunter Mahan (above). That duo combined for a 4-1-4 record to boost the U.S. to a 16.5-11.5 victory and regain momentum in the rivalry. ALSO SEE: Corey Pavin leads U.S. against Europe in 2010 Ryder Cup How Pavin has fared at the Ryder Cup Paul Goydos brings wisdom as assistant captain Jamie Mulligan thinks Goydos has been one of a kind |
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