Like insurance companies, many local night spots had “riders” concerning those who they let in after hauling on over here from the Ryder Cup — even though the event took place way over on the other end of the Cities.
A couple of friends got up close and personal with Tiger Woods while watching the Tin Cup action. What was he like? Very friendly, one said. But kind of a jerk, the other countered.
The bartender at Green Mill said there were quite a few Ryder Cup people on a Friday night and you could tell because they were, well, dressed like the late Payne Stewart. But the couple next to me said they live in the area of the hosting golf course and came all the way here to Hudson the escape the throngs. Traffic going to work at 6 a.m. the prior day was terrible, they said.
A Ryder Cup chauffeur was at Family Fresh grocery store late at night making a large transaction. But he chose to focus on the favorable weather in which he drove, not the big money. Meanwhile, the sign at Season’s Tavern in North Hudson said it all: Win the cup boys.
Speaking of that, two Ryder-Cup-looking fans at Dick’s Bar and Grill — middle-aged, affluent-looking white men in knickers, appropriate headware and polo shirts with brand-name logo, were sharing drinks that I’m guessing were top shelf. The bartender said he’d be at the tourney if he had a choice and didn’t have to work, as the event was getting rolling the next day. As far as area overflow, the 29,000 metro region motel rooms reportedly were full.
On the next weekend, it was more of the same, as all the rooms between the Twin Cities and Menomonie were occupied because of the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, the Viking home game and some western Wisconsin homecoming games.