Local sentiment favors the U.S. team defending its title in this weekend’s Ryder Cup matches based on a less-than-scientific sampling of golfers around Maine.

Interest has built over the years, especially since Irish players were allowed to join the Great Britain team in 1973 and the Europeans joined in 1979, and the matches became more interesting.

“It’s turned into something that, as a kid, was not exciting, and now I look forward to it,” said Chris Lander of Orrington.

From 1927 through 1983, the U.S. won 21 of the matches [held every two years], lost only three, and halved one. Starting in 1985 when Europe won the Cup for the first time since 1957, the European side holds a 4-3-1 edge.

“I think the U.S. will win,” said Bangor Municipal Golf Course head pro Brian Enman, “although The Belfry hasn’t been real popular with the Americans.”

Two of Europe’s wins in the last eight matches came at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield, England, site of this year’s tournament. The Brabazon course drew a lot of criticism in 1985 from the U.S. players, but a lot of remodeling has been done on the course over the years.

“I like the course,” said Lander, a former golf pro and coach of the University of Maine golf team. “There’s a lot of risk-reward situations, and that makes for good match play.”

Rowdy U.S. fans at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., in 1999 made a less-than-favorable impression on the European side, but the people surveyed don’t expect a repeat performance from the European fans.

“I think the crowds will be very well behaved,” said Steve Leitch, head pro at Aroostook Valley Country Club in Fort Fairfield. “As a rule, the average European golf fan will be a little more educated on etiquette on the golf course. I don’t think there’ll be any problem.”

George Brountas of Bangor, who picked the U.S. to win, agreed.

“I don’t think there’s that kind of emotion out there,” he said. “People have found there’s a lot more important things since 9-11.”

Mike White of Eliot thought the only problems might come from isolated incidents.

“Like what happened on the 18th hole with Tiger Woods when a fan [snapped a picture],” said White. “Cameras or if someone shouts a comment, that’s where it could get dicey.”

Jay Munson, a detective with the Brewer Police Department, wasn’t sure how much of it he’d get to see.

“I’ll probably be working,” he said. He was hopeful to be able to “see some of it Saturday or Sunday.”

He’s also hopeful the U.S. can win it.

Leitch, whose club has both U.S. and Canadian members, hasn’t heard much about the Ryder Cup from his players.

“There’s always interest, I just don’t hear it,” he said. “I’m looking forward to it. I like to see how the European Tour players stack up.”

Leitch hesitated making a prediction on the outcome.

“I thought last time the U.S. would steamroll, but they had to come from behind,” he said.

He comes down on the side of Europe this time.

“I think the Europeans will will win by a narrow margin this year,” said Leitch. “That’s based more on where they’re playing. Plus some guys on the European Tour are playing a little better.”

Enman picked it 16-12 for the U.S., “but I’ve been wrong before.”

Lander also picked it 16-12, “maybe 151/2-121/2, but that’s as about as wide as I can imagine.”

Lander added, “I think it will come down to the singles. The U.S. is less adept at team play. There’s a strategy there they seem to lack that the Europeans have a better grasp of.”

Pro Paul Dailey is going with the Europeans, though.

“It took a tremendous comeback in singles [for the U.S. to win in ’99],” said Dailey. “I think the Europeans point to it, and it’s on their home turf.

“It’ll be tight as a whisker.”

Dave Barber can be reached at 990-8170, 1-800-310-8600, or by e-mail at dbarber@bangordailynews.net.