Closer matches all that was missing from a successful Concession Cup

There's no way to overlook what happened last week at the Concession Cup.

The United States crushed Great Britain and Ireland over the three-day biennial match play golf event.

It was practically decided after the U.S. took an 8-1 advantage on the first day, then unofficially finished when the lead grew to 16-2 on the second day and officially ended early during Saturday's singles session with two more points.

But the final tally, 29-7, spoke volumes of the disparity between the two sides.

And it was the second straight time the U.S. breezed to a Concession Cup win after a seven-point victory margin in the inaugural event in 2014.

Don't get me wrong, the event itself featured high-level golf and was held at an immaculate golf course, The Concession Golf Club. But to make it competitive next time for fan interest, which saw a plethora of people flock to the East Manatee private club during the three days, to hit a zenith, the event needs a tweak.

That wrinkle, though, isn't necessarily opening the doors for a change in team setup across the pond.

Rather, experimenting with a venue in Great Britain and Ireland should do the trick.

The Concession Golf Club is a difficult test, but it's also a prime course tailored to American players. Deft pitch shots are required around the

greens, and the slick putting surfaces react differently than the greens in Great Britain and Ireland.

The GB&I team struggled to adapt, so getting a home-field advantage should help narrow the gap. Plus, it's what happens in all the other major team cup events such as the Ryder, Solheim and Walker cups. Those events alternate which side hosts, giving each the chance to have a perceived advantage of playing styles that they're more used to.

GB&I captain Garth McGimpsey even joked about getting the Americans in some rainy, windy and cold weather at their place in two years during the awards ceremony last Saturday.

"I think we play one time over there in their environment (and) I think it will be a lot different result," said Tim Jackson, who clinched the decisive point for the U.S.

Look, the tournament's name bears a connection rooted in Manatee County and The Concession Golf Club ran a smooth event that didn't see any hiccups. Crowds gathered and some stellar golf shots took place.

But to make it more competitive and really sell it as a marquee, must-watch tournament, it should go to GB&I's backyard.

To do that, though, the timing of the event would need altering. GB&I golfers came straight from their winter season to play The Concession Cup, while Team USA were much sharper with more tournament golf under their belts. A move to sometime in May wouldn't be bad, but it would have to be early. Lots of United States Golf Association qualifying events start taking place at the end of May like the U.S. Open. That tournament is in June, while the British Open, British Amateur and U.S. Amateur dot the schedule for amateur golfers and fans alike for the rest of the summer months. So it's a short window to book the event abroad with some time for the GB&I players to get more acclimated to competitive golf again, but it's manageable.

The Ryder Cup took off as a must-watch event once continental Europe entered the fray. That started in 1979, and Europe began closing the competitive gap -- Americans were 18-3-1 until the expansion -- before the breakthrough victory in 1985.

Tony Jacklin and Jack Nicklaus, the two honorary captains for the last two Concession Cups at a course they co-designed in memory of the first tie in Ryder Cup history that involved both men in 1969, were instrumental in getting the rest of Europe involved to make the Ryder Cup what it is today.

"Maybe, it might have to, I don't know. Maybe play over there once or twice and see," said Bradenton resident Paul Azinger, the last U.S. winning Ryder Cup captain, about opening the Concession Cup up to the rest of Europe. "I mean, it's a possibility."

We're not quite yet at that point as the Concession Cup is an extension of the Walker Cup, which has remained competitive with the U.S. and GB&I inclusive involvement.

First things first, take it overseas with a little movement of the dates and see what happens.

This story was originally published April 27, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Closer matches all that was missing from a successful Concession Cup ."