HAVING written yesterday the miserable truth about the Ryder Cup legacy for Wales being badly damaged by the horrible weather we’ve had, it’s worth also giving a mention to the staff whose effort has been nothing short of epic this week.

Leading the way has been head groundsman at the Celtic Manor Jim McKenzie, a man whose work ethic is nothing shy of amazing.

McKenzie didn’t even go to bed on Friday night, working around the clock on the course and even getting wife Debbie and son Elliot to give him a helping hand, along with the hundreds of volunteers and members of staff from the Celtic Manor.

All of them are a credit to Wales.

The ‘under the ropes’ access I have enjoyed this week does have some perks, namely, overhearing some comical exchanges. My favourite this week involved American Jeff Overton.

One supporter called him “a fat simpleton”, at the start of the singles. He’ll wish he didn’t, because he was instantly given a mouthful from Overton’s mother!

Overton’s wife has also amused me no end, telling one of the other American wives that she is keeping the tags in her clothes in order to get a refund when she goes back to the States!

Where else can I end than by talking about the scenes on the 17th green as super ‘G Mac’ did the business, bringing that Ryder Cup back to Europe after the most nail-biting of finishes.

I was right in place to witness the amazing scenes, sat just a couple of feet behind Rory McIlroy who sprinted across the green.

I’ve often commented on the very Welsh trait of being unable to resist invading somewhere you’re not supposed to go – be it a football pitch or a putting green – and the mini invasion of the 17th at Celtic Manor was unique in the history of the Ryder Cup. One word, bedlam.

With 35,000 spectators in attendance, there can be little doubt that the Welsh Ryder Cup has ended on a magnificent high.

What better way to end than with European players celebrating with the public who have supported this Ryder Cup superbly through some very, very trying times.