GUIDONIA MONTECELIO, Italy (AP) — The notes to Beethoven’s “Ode to Pleasure” within the European anthem rang out into the huge crowd assembled on the garden at the Marco Simone Golf Membership.
The Frecce Tricolori acrobatic air staff flew overhead forsaking a stream in Italy’s colours of inexperienced, white and crimson.
And European captain Luke Donald traded the normal pleasantries with American counterpart Zach Johnson.
However there was no point out of the battle in Ukraine throughout the elaborate opening ceremony of the Ryder Cup on Thursday — despite the fact that Workforce Europe represents the war-torn nation.
There was a Ukrainian presence on the course exterior Rome earlier, although, when 15-year-old Lev Grinberg was the youngest member of the Europe staff that romped to a report 11-point victory over the USA within the Junior Ryder Cup.
“We received the junior one however I additionally need to win the lads’s one and I need to win all of the 4 majors. After which I might fulfill my profession,” the precocious Grinberg instructed The Related Press after shedding his singles match to a highschool senior, Nicholas Gross.
Grinberg was already the youngest participant to make the reduce at a daily European tour occasion when he achieved the feat final 12 months at 14 years and 6 months in his adopted residence of Belgium.
Grinberg began enjoying golf at age 5 on the Kozyn membership in Kyiv. Then when he joined his father for a enterprise journey to Belgium a number of years later, he was recognized as a baby prodigy and father and son moved to Belgium to pursue his profession.
The outcomes have come quickly, with Grinberg advancing to the ultimate stage of U.S. Open qualifying in 2021.
“He’s been nice for the staff room and he’s a fantastic character, an impressive expertise,” Europe’s junior staff captain Stephen Gallacher mentioned. “He’s 15 years previous in age however he’s acquired an previous head on younger shoulders. He’s a fantastic child. He’ll go on to larger issues.”
Whereas Ukraine continues to be ready to turn into an EU member, golfers for the nation are eligible for Workforce Europe as a result of it’s a part of the continent.
Grinberg mentioned that due to the battle solely one of many few golf programs in Ukraine stays in working order. And he hasn’t seen his grandfather since earlier than the battle.
“I miss him loads,” he mentioned.
Grinberg rated his participation within the Ryder Cup as the most effective second of his budding profession, with Europe ending a run of six straight defeats within the junior competitors.
“That is staff spirit enjoying with your pals and companions that you just competed the entire 12 months towards, and to have them beside you and assist you, I feel that’s extra memorable than making the reduce.”
Grinberg’s look, which marked the primary time that the junior version of golf’s greatest staff occasion was held on the precise Ryder Cup course, got here a day after Ukraine soccer standout Andriy Shevchenko performed within the All-Star match.
“He’s unbelievable,” Shevchenko instructed The Related Press about Grinberg. “It’s nice now we have this younger, very proficient participant.”
After he finishes highschool, Grinberg desires to play faculty golf within the U.S. after which flip professional.
“I like Texas Tech, Arizona State, FSU (Florida State),” he mentioned.
First, although, he must hone his expertise.
“He’s very younger and he’s very uncooked. However he has that expertise,” Gallacher mentioned. “As soon as he can refine it I feel he’ll be a pressure to cope with. He’s acquired the size, he’s acquired the guts, he’s acquired the ability. So he simply wants a bit of little bit of roundedness.”
Whereas there have been tributes to Ukraine all through the sports activities world since Russia’s invasion final 12 months, Shevchenko — who has been appointed a particular advisor to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — mentioned he wouldn’t be bothered if the battle was not talked about on the Ryder Cup.
“It’s the private challenge or regardless of the gamers really feel,” Shevchenko mentioned, “he can categorical himself about this.”
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