LONG TIME AGO>>>>!!!

It has been a long time since we have seen any of the top golfers representing the United States in the World Cup. Tiger Woods and David Duval were the last No.1 & No. 2 top ranked golfers who represented the United States, in the year 2000. They won. The year before that, Tiger Woods and Mark O'Meara won, and Tiger Woods won the individual title, which was the last time there was an individual winner.

This year Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum — former teammates at Milton High in the Florida Panhandle — said that they'll represent the United States at the World Cup, a two-man team event Nov. 22-25 at Mission Hills Golf Club in China. Boo Weekley is ranked 36 in the world, and Slocum is 74th. Now, lets realize that you are talking about extremely good players, but I would rather see Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Steve Stricker or our new hero, Woody Austin... and I would like the cup to return to the original format of 72 holes, stroke play for both players all the way, no cut. Now, it is 72 holes, 2 days of best ball and 2 days of alternate shots, which eliminates the possibility of crowing an individual champion.

I still remember seeing Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer win the Cup in Mexico City in 1967. Arnold Palmer was the individual winner (and was a member of 6 winning teams as well). They signed authographs forever! The last day they had played with the Mexican Team headed by Antonio Cerda. Both Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, were participants in six winning teams, four of them together; Arnold Palmer teamed with Sam Snead the other two times. Jack Nicklaus teamed once each with Lee Trevino and Johnny Miller in winning teams. Jack has won the cup 4 times individually. Fred Couples and David Love III won the cup four times in a row (1992-1995), and each one of them won the individual title once.

In the 60's and 70's, the United States usually sent tow of that year's major winners, but I guess as money got better and better on the regular tour, this "honor" was refused by the top players. Then of course, Tiger's agent, saw to modify the the format to where there is no individual winner. IGM manages most of the world tour events, including the World Cup, which this year will be played in China.

Sure, we will be rooting for Weekley and Slocum, and I am glad they agreed to represent the United States, but, I truly wish that it was a true World Cup, with proven international players representing our country. It should still be an honor that should no be refused.