The Ryder Cup Is Getting Ready To Jump the Shark

It sickens me - sickens - that the PGA of America thinks that a Celebrity Pro-Am somehow adds a necessary element to an event I love so much.

But here we are.

The first-ever Ryder Cup Captains & Celebrity Scramble golf event will have some serious star power. Bill Murray, Justin Timberlake, Michael Phelps, George Lopez, Ernie Banks, Richard Dent, Stan Mikita and Scottie Pippen are scheduled to play. 

The event will begin at 1 p.m. on Sept. 25, the first day of Ryder Cup practice rounds for both the U.S. and European teams at Medinah Country Club. Fans with tickets for Tuesday’s sold-out practice round will be able to watch the scramble. 

The celebrities and sports stars will be paired with past Ryder Cup Captains to play 10 holes of Medinah’s Course No. 3 as part of a team in a scramble format. Participating past Ryder Cup Captains include Ben Crenshaw, Tom Kite, Tom Lehman, Corey Pavin, Dave Stockton, Hal Sutton, Lee Trevino and Lanny Wadkins.

Oh, super. Way to take an intense, PURE golf event, and schlock it up. I should have seen this coming once they let Michael Jordan be as "assistant" captain.