Ryder Cup captains ban players from tweeting while in Wales

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

In case anyone was wondering how seriously the U.S. and Europe teams are taking this year’s Ryder Cup, here’s your answer: Both teams’ captains have banned their players from using Twitter while in Wales for the tournament, which runs Friday through Sunday this week.

For many of today’s professional athletes, that amounts to a tremendous sacrifice.

‘I think it’s important to focus on the Ryder Cup and playing the matches and just enjoying camaraderie with the team itself,’ U.S. captain Corey Pavin said in a press conference Monday from Wales. ‘So we have decided as a whole to not Tweet this week.’

European captain Colin Montgomerie added: ‘ ... On Monday the 4th of October, yes, you’ll find the team probably on social network sites, but not until then.’

Several of the U.S. team members had a bit of trouble saying goodbye to their Twitter followers, posting more than one farewell message Monday morning:

Stewart Cink: ‘We’re finally off to Wales!! Won’t be tweeting until we get back. I guess I’ll have to pass the down time actually reading or something.’ One minute later, he added: ‘Okay I lied. Go USA y’all pull hard for us thanks!!! ... see you in a week!’

Rickie Fowler: ‘Guys I’m sorry to inform you but the news is true...we will not be allowed to tweet while we are in Wales...Cpt’s orders!!’ Several hours (and tweets) later, he tweeted: ‘IT’S GO TIME!!! GO USA!!!’

Bubba Watson: ‘This is last tweet till I get back from Wales!! Cheer hard for USA!!’ After a personal note to someone, he wrote: ‘Ok this is it, GO USA!!!’

Zach Johnson: ‘I have an unfortuante bit of news...I will not be able to tweet across the pond in Wales...capt’s orders! Sorry. I appreciate the support!’ An hour later, he was still tweeting about it: ‘I know it’s hard to believe, but yes @RickieFowlerPGA and @bubbawatson will not be able to tweet either! Nor @stewartcink!’

But the Ryder Cup teams won’t be completely shut off from the social networking world. The teams themselves can be followed on both Twitter and Facebook.

-- Chuck Schilken