Wellington boots and suncream

I promised when I did a post on the golf, this is what I'd call it, as, on the Monday, though the sun was out, it was still boggy underfoot. Hence the need for both boots and suncream. It's been a while, so I no longer have a great deal to say about the golf, save:

• I was there
• It was ace
• We won, and it was great to watch a crowd cheer for Europe. 

What I thought I would comment on briefly is the import of it all. At one point, when it was looking at bit bleak, Andrew said to me 'of course it's not important.' Now I've always thought this too, until recently. Obviously in the grand scheme of things it isn't, but then nor is much: only footballers think sport is 'more important than life or death.' However, in public service broadcasting orthodoxy, Sport is important as it brings people (usually the country) together, so I said that. And as the day unravelled, I think it proved to be true. The people on the bus back from the course with us won't be able to attack the Germans quite as vociferously as they might have because they were discussing the merits of Martin Kaymer (though given his Monday performance, they might). 


Now, the Ryder cup is an odd infrequent event, but most sport is simple, regular and about country (or smaller units), and it generates a common passion which is hugely positive. Patriotism, or love of country, is unfashionable now, but its actually key to all our civilised impulses. Logically, there is no distinction between me funding the poor in London or Lesotho. They both need money. Yet, obviously we tend to want to support those in country. Social fragmentation is dangerous because it means people don't want to support those less fortunate because they don't feel part of the same unit. Sport helps avoid that (it can do it internationally too, like in Anna's friend's excellent cricket charity), and that is critical. 


So, sport is important, and a force for good. Apart from Association Football obviously. That is anathema.