Ryder Cup Audience Sings 'God Bless America' En Masse
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Supporters of the U.S. Ryder Cup team made no bones about which country they were supporting at Hazeltine Golf Club Friday morning.
The crowds gathered at the first tee spontaneously serenaded, if the term is appropriate, the grounds with a rendition of Irving Berlin's "God Bless America."
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The gesture comes as a number of athletes have been protesting the national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner," most notably the San Francisco 49ers' Colin Kaepernick.
Hoards off eager fans were ready to head into Hazeltine National early Friday morning when the gates opened around 6:30 a.m. There were reports of heavy traffic along Highways 169 and 212.
The first golfers headed out onto the course just about an hour later, at 7:35 a.m.
The American team is looking for some redemption after losing the last three events.
