Monty Identifies Vice Captains; World Can Now Go Back To Less Important Matters

And he's only going with three (Bjorn, McGinley and Olazabal), compared to Captain Pavin's four. For now."

Europe captain Colin Montgomerie identified Thomas Bjorn, Paul McGinley and Jose Maria Olazabal as his ideal choices to be vice captains for the Ryder Cup.

That’s assuming none of them qualify to play.

Montgomerie said Wednesday that he wants Bjorn and McGinley, who have competed in a combined five Ryder Cups, to focus on perhaps making the team over the next couple of months.

“The Americans are having four vice captains. I shall have three, maybe four,” Montgomerie said at the Real Club de Golf in Seville on the eve of the Spanish Open. “But I will not be naming them until after The Open at St. Andrews in July because, with Bjorn and McGinley, I want them to have every chance to make the team as players again.

Monty Running Up Tab To Make Celtic Manor Palatable

From an unbylined AP story:

The alterations, unveiled to the European golfing media on Monday, have been implemented despite the fact that the Celtic Manor course was built and opened for play for $8 million just two years ago.

Ah, another shining example for the game's well-being.

Montgomerie has had many of the course bunkers deepened, had the rough made consistently thicker than its had been for the Wales Open on the European Tour in 2008 and 2009, and has insisted the greens be firmer and less receptive to spin.

“All along, Colin has insisted that he was not interested in gaining a home advantage,” said Jim Mckenzie, Celtic Manor’s director of golf courses.

“If Europe do regain the Ryder Cup he wants it to be because they have played the better golf and not because the course has been tricked up.

“And in all my dealings with Colin since he was appointed Europe’s Ryder Cup captain I have to say he has not been over demanding.”

Not over demanding. Just demanding.

"Colin Montgomerie has travelled the world as a leading player and also as one of the pre-eminent modern-day course designers."

You learn something new everyday. Monty, one of the pre-eminent modern-day course designers" has discovered a "hidden gem" of golf architecture.

During a visit to Edinburgh last week to promote the Bupa Great Edinburgh Run, Monty popped up to the Braids for the first time in his life and couldn't believe its stunning location high above the Capital.

In the Edinburgh Thistle Golf Club he certainly didn't need to be told about its rich history. "Some famous golfers have played here," he said pointing at a members' honours board bearing the names of former Open champions James Braid and Tommy Armour.

Nothing gets by Monty!