I attended a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station New River today. Great time seeing comrades I had not seen in years and I will comment on lessons from the day but first to the Ryder Cup.

Today in Wales there was heavy rain (yeah, that shouldn’t be a surprise. October is the fourth rainiest month with an average of nearly 4 inches of rain.). And the American team discovered their rain gear was not doing an adequate job. They discovered this during the most important international competition in golf….Actually, it was discovered before the matches and brought up by players and caddies but nothing was done. MISTAKE! That is why we rehearse people. To figure out what isn’t working and fix it. In practice yesterday the deficiency was noted but nothing was done.

I cant comment on the how wet it was and am sure the product was a good one but it is pretty sad when the team has to go to the merchandise tent and buy rain gear off the shelf. The product was selected by the wife of team captain Corey Pavin. I cannot comment on her qualifications to make such a choice but even if she were the right person wouldn’t you make sure the stuff works. Wouldn’t you have a backup plan? If I was one of those players I would have had some of my own stuff  nearby, just in case. MISTAKE – the gear wasn’t tested in “game” conditions. When the Americans landed at Omaha Beach they had done rehearsals in terrain as similar to the French coast as possible. These Americans didn’t do this for this landing in Wales.

The product was selected by the wife of team captain Corey Pavin. I cannot comment on her qualifications to make such a choice but even if she were the right person wouldn’t you make sure the stuff works. MISTAKE? Like I said, I don’t know her qualifications (and I am not criticising her) but consider the conversation. “Hey hon, we are going to play golf in Wales and my career reputation will be greatly impacted by the outcome, how bout you choose the uniforms.” Or consider another conversation. “Hey hon, we are going to play golf, what type of golf ball should we play?” I doubt that conversation happened. Input yes, but let’s verify.

OK, back to the Marines from today. When they go into battle they have a plan, they have tested the plan, they have practiced in game like conditions, they have a back up. Heck, this weekend the Army ROTC unit from Duke is going to the field. I bet you their gear works.

If the US wins all this will not matter but it still looks bad.

here is the full story on the rain (not) gear
I need to read it to believe it.

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