For most people, Saturday is a longed-for day off after a gruelling week, but for the 24 players that make up the two competing teams here at Celtic Manor, this was to be the longest day of Ryder Cup golf ever.
Teeing off at 0745hrs on a chill - but mercifully dry – morning, it was time to play catch-up from yesterday, after the deluge (40 percent of the average October rainfall fell in less than 24 hours) that created a delay of more than seven hours and left organisers planning an unprecedented re-shuffle of the weekend’s play.
So, from the word go, everyone was on a mission to get out and play golf. For the fans, the key lesson from yesterday’s shenanigans was to think carefully about their attire so they could survive the sporting marathon. The merchandise pavilion in the tented village has virtually sold out of waterproof gear, and supplies of the official Ryder Cup umbrellas were gone before a ball was hit in anger. So, spectators came prepared in all manner of garb, to show their allegiances, while somehow keeping dry and warm.
From the traditional plus fours-and-jacket combo, to fluorescent trousers and a contemporary take on fairway headwear, the gamut of golfing style was on display.
Coping with the mudbath that was the hangover from the rain was the biggest challenge, as visitors tried all manner of footwear to gain grip and keep them dry. This was more like a music festival than a golf tournament.
There were Wellington boots, walking boots, cowboy boots, rubber beach shoes, designer shoes, golf spikes and even ballet pumps. None proved ideal for slopes alongside the fairways, which had taken on the consistency of melted chocolate.
Few had made it their priority to turn the fairways into a fashion show, though there were a hardened handful of stylish spectators who clearly have no desire to compromise on their sartorial standards just because they are likely to get covered in mud. A couple of shearling jackets, a spattering of designer coats, and a few sightings of luxurious cashmere cardigans all found themselves picking their way through the slippery slopes of south Wales. Splish, splash, splish, splash, splish splash.
And - as is always the case during Ryder Cup weekend matches - the novelty attire was out in force here at Celtic Manor. Who knew the Stars & Stripes could be translated in so many different ways? From sequin-encrusted caps to cartoon-trousers, from tracksuit tops to Uncle Sam hats, no effort had been spared in obtaining patriotic garments to ‘fly the flag’ for the USA. Funky facepaints were in evidence too, as were star-spangled hair ribbons, earrings and belt buckles - there is clearly money to be made selling this kit.
It’s somewhat harder to come by wardrobe crafted using the gold-stars-and-deep-blue of the European Union. But fans will persevere to demonstrate their passions: so we saw rugby socks, football shirts and track-jackets from participating countries, as well as flags wrapped around fans like giant cloaks – all in a bid to cobble together support for our Continent.
And, it seemed to be working: at the close of the longest day of golfing play in Ryder Cup history, the scoreboard was awash with blue ready to resume play for Sunday, when it’ll be a race against the clock and a battle with the weather to complete the tournament on schedule. Watch this space…