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The Captain Myth
The Ryder Cup and Sport's Great Leadership Delusion
By (author)
Richard Gillis
Genres:
Golf, Sports psychology
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Synopsis
The War on the Shore, the Battle of Brookline, the Miracle of Medinah: the Ryder Cup is golf's - and arguably one of international sport's - most intense, high-profile tournaments. Two teams tussle through 28 matches over three days for no prize money but enormous national pride. And purportedly in charge of those two teams are the captains, whose reputations are shaped forever by their players' results out on the course.
Justin Rose's unlikely 35-foot on the 17th green at Medinah Country Club set up Europe's triumph - and one of modern sport's most remarkable turnarounds - in the 2012 Ryder Cup. It also established Davis Love II as 'a bad captain' and saw Jose Maria Olazabal feted for a series of leadership masterstrokes.
In reality, neither captain had much to do with that putt being sunk. Yet the pressure remains on the captains to lead their team to victory. As each Cup passes, more theories are put forward about how to win. Some of these combine traditional golfing nous with cutting-edge sports psychology. Others are red herrings that have led captains down any number of blind alleys. So what can a captain do to win the Ryder Cup?
Using exclusive interviews and saturation reporting, Gillis shows how strategy has evolved since the very first match in 1927, exploring the enduring and often surprising role played by some of the game's greatest stars including Walter Hagen, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tony Jacklin, Seve Ballesteros and Paul Azinger. The Captain Myth uses golf's greatest event to examine some fundamental questions about leadership, teams and motivation. New & Used
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What Reviewers Are Saying
A brilliant rethink of sport's leadership myths: Nassim Taleb logic combined with insider knowledge of the game -- Ed Smith, author of Luck: A fresh look at fortune Richard Gillis explores fascinating subject matter that goes to the heart of golf's greatest contest and sport as a whole. -- Iain Carter, BBC A thorough examination of the cult of the leader in sport ... This book challenges our assumptions. -- Paul Hayward, chief sports writer, Daily Telegraph An enlightening foray into the power and pitfalls of leadership at the heights of athletic competition ... The Captain Myth provides deep insights for anyone eager to understand the value and limits to leadership in an age that celebrates autonomy and scorns authority. -- Gary Hamel, best-selling author and visiting professor at the London Business School There's only one person I'd read on the subject of leadership in sport: Richard Gillis. A book to enjoy, absorb and return to. -- Sathnam Sanghera, author and business columnist for The Times Gillis brings wisdom, insight and just enough skepticism to the absurd spectacle that is modern captaincy. -- Geoff Shackelford, Golf Digest Richard Gillis questions the mythology around leadership and the acceptance of simplified narratives of success and failure that have no more validity than blind luck. Gillis' book prompts a vital conversation. -- John Amaechi OBE Richard Gillis explores just what it takes to lift the famous trophy ... speaking to gurus, experts, psychologists and former captains for an unrivalled level of insight. * Gentleman's Journal * Essential reading * The Telegraph * Richard Gillis delves deep into the fascinating subject of what makes a strong sporting leader ... With the emphasis on golf, Gillis meticulously analyses Ryder Cup captains and their methods. He produces statistics alongside simple commentary, meaning this book is valuable for potential leaders - or those seeking to assess them - in any sport. Put simply, so much of The Captain Myth rings true. * The Observer * a thorough dissection of the subject... excellent * Golf World * Fascinating * Blackpool Gazette * It makes for a fascinating read, even if you're not a golf enthusiast ... highly recomended * The Pink (Bournemouth) * Wisdom, insight and just enough skepticism to the absurd spectacle that is modern captainy -- Geoff Shackelford * Golf Digest *