Faldo was at the centre of an ugly war of words

But other issues fester. The European team has resolved the internal bad feeling that arose over Mark James' comments about Nick Faldo.

James had resigned the vice-captaincy before the cancer diagnosis that would have cast further doubt on his participation, but the section of his book that criticises the Americans' behaviour at Brookline in 1999 will doubtless be revisited in the build-up.

So, too, will the footage of present captain Sam Torrance, speechless with rage moments after premature and ill-mannered USA triumphalism had stamped all across Jose Maria Olazabal's line on the 17th green.

It is a row that is refusing to go away. Only two weeks ago an American magazine published allegations from Phil Mickleson that the Europeans had deliberately decided to slow-play the USA team in order to upset their rhythm.

Torrance has calmed down now, of course, and is trying his best to agree a truce with friend and rival captain Curtis Strange.

But there's no question that feelings will run high once the Ryder Cup gets under way - they always do.

Which is why Torrance is determined that the European-based crowd will behave. After all, heckling, booing and ironic cheering is not just an American trait.

There will be an alcohol ban, closed circuit TV and 3,000 marshals.

Torrance said "I don't want the marshals to see a shot. I want them watching the crowd.

"Curtis and I will both issue a statement before the match starts and it will generally be - have fun, but behave. That must also go to the teams."

Gentleman's game

It may sound over-dramatic, but the Belfry 2001 looks from this distance like a watershed not just for golf in the 21st century but for the more profound values of sport itself.

Captain Sam Torrance will be in the hot seat again

The game still has something precious which has been lost almost everywhere else at the professional level.

Its codes of trust, integrity and courtesy bind players together in a bond of companionship and understanding without which the sport really would be a good walk spoiled. That is why the Belfry is so important.

By then - of course - Monty will have won his first major, all the Home Nations will be on their way to qualifying for the World Cup, the new Wembley will be taking shape, an English team will have won the Champions League, the Aussies will have been soundly beaten in the Test series (by the Lions in rugby union and by England in cricket!).

Also Tim Henman will have won Wimbledon, British athletes will have swept all before them at the World Athletics championships in Edmonton, Lennox Lewis will have given Mike Tyson a boxing lesson and David Coulthard will have already clinched his first Formula One Drivers' Championship.

See? Despite it all, I am still a fan - partisan, enthusiastic and naive!