THE biannual Ryder Cup golf competition in Bulgaria finished with a narrow victory for the US team, which took a lead of three points to beat the European Union team.

The game was played at the Golf Club Air Sofia over the weekend of September 11 to 12.

The competition started on Saturday with a foursome play - teams of two golfers competing on a team against two other golfers with each side playing one ball.

As captain of the European team, Scott McNeill was very happy after the foursomes on Saturday because his team had taken a one-point lead.

"It was very exciting waiting for the results of matches on Saturday and it was good to see the enthusiasm from both the US team and the European team," he told The Sofia Echo.

The Match Play Singles on Sunday featured 28 matches of singles (56 golfers), which meant that the overall competition was for 41 points. The winning post for a team to secure the Ryder Cup Trophy in Bulgaria was 21 points.

The US team took an impressive early lead, but the excitement grew as Europe pegged them back, McNeill said. With only three matches out on the course the US team reach their goal of 21 points to win the trophy. The final result was US 22 Europe 19.

McNeill found the competition different from the usual form of play because they all played in a team event where golfers had to win holes against their opponents. He explained it is usual to play individually against all the competitors and over 18 holes make the lowest score they can.

"This was the reason for so much excitement on the closing stages on the Sunday and team spirit in both camps was evident," McNeill said.

Many golfers played this format for the first time and to certain extent they discovered the pressure that professional golfers are under in attempting to win tournaments.

"We played for a team, pride and a trophy, where the professional has the pressure of earning a living," McNeill said.

All golfers agreed that the game, being usually played with verve and a swashbuckling style, offers a lot more than just a sports spirit and a winning team. Though McNeill enjoys golf for the challenge of hitting the ball well to make the best score he can but also because it is also a social activity.

"Golfers are able to play in the friendly company of other competitors while they take on the golf course," he said.

Mike Hennessy, vice captain of the EU team, thinks of golf as probably the most social sport in the world as there is lots of time to chat with other players as you move between shots.

"In competition golf you regularly play with people that you are not acquainted with so it is always a chance to meet new people," Hennessy told The Echo.

Despite the social side of the game, each player is always playing against the course. When a player has had a good round, it is normal to feel that you have defeated the course.

It might seem like a simple thing; to hit a golf ball.

However, McNeill thinks that each time most golfers stand over the ball with his club the execution will not be absolutely perfect. This is where he finds the challenge of golf.

"All golfers know this and for this reason the 19th hole is a perfect setting for all golfers to share a drink and the story of good and bad shots they have made over the 18 holes on the course," he said.

In golf, the golfer is self-regulated through The Rules of Golf. There is usually no referee or umpire. The Rules of Golf are applied and the golfer must apply himself to The Rules.

For Hennessy golf is an individual sport where you are never relying on team members except occasionally in events like the Ryder Cup where the overall team score decides the winner.

Hennessy has played golf for 15 years. However, since coming to Bulgaria he has not had the opportunity to play as often as he would like. "My golf has not really improved since I arrived here 11 years ago," he said.

What really makes the game differ from other sports is the fact that no two golf courses are ever the same and no two shots are ever exactly the same. The handicap system which is designed to give all players an equal chance to win is also unique, Hennessy said.

"I congratulate US captain, Ron Finley, and his vice captain, Tom Nelson, on their famous victory," McNeill told The Echo, concluding "we live to fight another day".