— When I arrived in New York City late Monday morning I really had no idea what to expect on a day when our PGA of America delegation would join Corey Pavin, Captain of the United States Ryder Cup team, as he announced his four picks for the competition being held at Celtic Manor in Wales on October 1-3.

The Ryder Cup is a big deal. Many call it the most compelling and pressure packed competition in all of sports. Twelve Americans square off against the best 12 players that Europe can offer. The Ryder Cup began in 1927 and the United States has a 25-10-2 record. However, prior to winning at Valhalla in Louisville in 2008, the U.S. had lost three straight and the Euros were dominating the competition.

Pavin was joined in New York by three of his assistant captains. Tom Lehman, a former Ryder Cup Captain himself; Davis Love III and Paul Goydos met up with us at the Andaz Hotel on Wall Street. Jeff Sluman, the fourth assistant captain, was playing in a Champions Tour event in China and participated via phone.

It was obvious that Pavin took serious stock in the opinions of his assistant captains. At the same time, he had done much preparation ahead of time and had a list of approximately 20 players that he would choose his final four from. Three choices seemed rather obvious to me — Tiger Woods, Zach Johnson and Stewart Cink. All three had prior Ryder Cup experience and were playing well in the FedEx Cup.

The wildcard would be the fourth and final pick. Pavin never shared his thoughts on who just missed the U.S. squad, but conventional wisdom would be that Anthony Kim and Lucas Glover had to be the players left standing on the jet way to Wales .

To Pavin’s credit, he called the four picks as well as those other players he considered. He also conferred with the eight who had made the team based on points- Phil Mickelson, Hunter Mahan, Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk, Dustin Johnson, Jeff Overton, Bubba Watson and Matt Kuchar.

Rickie Fowler became the first PGA Tour rookie to be named to the U.S. Ryder Cup team. Fowler is the guy wearing the flat billed Puma cap and the orange clothes every Sunday. He is 24 years old and a former Oklahoma State University standout. He impressed Pavin with his 7-1 record on foreign soil during two Walker Cup competitions. The Walker Cup is amateur golf’s version of the Ryder Cup.

When asked Tuesday about giving up his orange OSU Cowboy uniform for the red, white and blue, Fowler said, “I played pretty well in the Walker Cup doing that! I hope to bring some youth and energy to the team. I want to fit in and help the U.S. win. That is what this is all about.”

Fowler is a much needed fresh face for professional golf. He is one of the young guys that “gets it”. My first Rickie Fowler experience came in the player’s locker room at the PGA Championship a few weeks ago. His locker was directly across from mine. As I changed for the awards ceremony, Fowler finished his round and cleaned his locker out.

We exchanged greetings and a brief conversation. He knew that I was a PGA of America official and he thanked us for a great week and everything we did at Whistling Straits. It’s customary that the players tip the locker room attendants on Sunday when they leave. He asked me if I knew who to make the check out to. I didn’t. Fowler summoned a locker room guy and handed him a blank check and said, “Please fill this and make sure it gets in the right place.”

I was impressed by his thoughtfulness and even though that final round didn’t go great for Fowler, he was gracious in his exit. It was no surprise to me that Pavin picked him.

I continue to be intrigued by Jeff Overton. There is no mold for this guy. The phrase “Overtonisms” is surfacing in some circles. At a recent dinner hosted by Pavin, something was said about “Freddie”. To which Overton replied, “Freddie Who?” Of course, Freddie in golf circles ALWAYS means Fred Couples.

When it comes to Tiger Woods, Overton recently said, “One of the greatest things about the Ryder Cup will be that I will finally get to meet Tiger Woods. I don’t think he knows who I am.”

Overton has been spotted recently at several PGA Tour practice rounds playing with Phil Mickelson as a partner. The two enjoy some highly competitive rounds against whoever is not afraid to bring it. Will they surface as partners in Wales ?

Deciding the pairings for the Ryder Cup will be Pavin’s next challenge. This could be his hardest job of all.

“The thing I like about this team is that I can pair veterans with veterans; rookies with rookies or I can mix it up. I really don’t think it matters that much,” said Pavin.

It should be an exciting buildup to Celtic Manner. Let the games begin!

•Ted Bishop is a Logansport grad, and the Secretary of the PGA of America. He may be reached at tblegends@aol.com.