It’s probably best for the wives and girlfriends to steer clear of Beth Page.
This was the advice from former European Ryder Cup player Andrew Coltart, aimed at key European figures as they prepare for this year’s event on Long Island.
Coltart, who hails from Scotland, reflected on his past experiences during the 1999 Ryder Cup in Brookline, Massachusetts. He noted, “My wife was fortunate; she had just given birth to our first child last week.” However, he added that others had not been as lucky: “Some of my fellow players’ partners faced abuse from the crowd, which is, quite frankly, disappointing, especially from a crowd that’s likely had one too many drinks.”
Next week, the atmosphere at Beth Page is anticipated to be lively, following the Europeans’ victory over the Americans two years ago.
The New York crowd is known for putting European teams on edge.
Interestingly, unlike many golf tournaments, wives and girlfriends often share team colors with players, making it easier to accompany them and locate other fans.
In light of this, Coltart suggested that perhaps attending in person might not be ideal. “It might be better for them to watch from a secure spot,” he said. “I understand the desire to support their partners and children, but the environment can be quite overwhelming and distressing. As players, we all want to protect our loved ones from abuse.”
American player Xander Schaufele’s father previously shared experiences of the crowd during the 2020 Whistling Straits, adding to the concern.
Coltart pointed out that even some fans this year might consider skipping the event, but he didn’t see any indication that the wives and girlfriends planned to miss it.
Ultimately, he expressed hope that the crowd wouldn’t provoke responses from the players’ partners. “The 13th man can be quite tribal and intense,” Coltart observed. “American support tends to be passionate, which can put a lot of pressure on everyone involved.”
