Chevalier’s remarks
enrage Tucsonans

By Ryan Finley
GolfArizona.com Staff Writer

The European team, you may remember, was angry at American fans for what they claim was rude conduct following the final day’s victory. Jose Maria Olazabal complained that the jubilant Americans ran in the way of his putting line, while numerous other European team members claimed they were assaulted with slurs from the Boston-area crowds.

“No amount of apology can make amends for what they did," Scottish golfer Colin Montgomery said. However, 1490 AM’s “Papa Joe” blew off the accusations.

Their anger was a way to mask the fact that they looked horrible on the final day,” Chevalier said. “The Europeans embarrassed themselves Sunday.”

“Papa Joe” went on to mock the Europeans’ touchiness on the subject, claiming that soccer riots break out almost daily with no objection.

“Do you know how many times a soccer riot story has come over the wire, about how some crazy Europeans have assaulted other fans, put cops in comas, killing other fans?,” Chevalier said. “A new story comes over the wire all the time. I don’t read them, though. ”

Chevalier went on to tell the Europeans, notably Montgomerie, to “bite me!”

“If Monty hates the United States so much, then why did he go to Houston Baptist University to play golf?” Chevalier quipped. “The ‘Euros’ may complain about hating America, but they come running when there is an American dollar to be made.”

Many Tucson golf fans, including students, couldn’t help but hide their rage at the popular talk-show host’s comments.

UA pre-law student Robbie Rainwater was listening to the show on his way home from campus.

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Local waiter Christopher Mutter is from the Boston area.

“Fans where I come from get intense over everything,” Mutter said. “It was a great comeback but the fans took it too far. For this guy to say golf celebration is like soccer rioting is ridiculous. Golf is a gentleman’s game, soccer isn’t.”

Many Europeans vowed they wouldn’t return for the next American-held Ryder Cup, which will be held in Oakland Hills, Mich., in 2003.

"A lot of players will not be bothered competing in America again," European captain Mark James told a London tabloid on Tuesday. "Certainly that is the case with me. It's not something I would look forward to. We don't need to be treated like this."

Chevalier doubts that team Europe will follow through with the threats.

“A few years ago, these guys, like Montgomerie, called one American golfer a non-factor because he was going through a tough divorce,” the enraged drive-time host said.

Despite the controversy at hand, Chevalier’s opinions did not sit well with locals.

“We’re a community heavily reliant on leisure and tourism,” Phoenix native Kimberly Johnson said. “For him to turn this Ryder Cup into a cultural and racial issue is not well-received here. All of these competitors were golfers despite what country they come from. If you ask me, the game should be treated with a certain amount of class.”

Something “Papa Joe” failed to show with his comments.