Once more that glittering, biennial celebration of golf which pits America's top professionals against their European counterparts cast its captivating spell on golfing audiences worldwide. Whether or not Seve's underdogs clung on to secure a famous victory in the early hours of this morning (Hong Kong time), the three-day extravaganza at Valderrama cemented the Ryder Cup's reputation as the ultimate team golf competition. So, what is it that makes the Ryder Cup special and keeps it streets ahead of all those that have attempted to imitate it? Far more than simply its rich history, the excellence of the golf and the cut-throat nature of the various matchplay formats, it is the pride and the passion it brings out in the millionaire contestants, who do not earn a cent for taking part, that are so compelling. Throw into the mix the thronging, cosmopolitan galleries that lined each and every one of the Spanish course's 18 immaculately manicured fairways and you have an intoxicating cocktail which makes for compulsive viewing. One of the most remarkable facets of the Ryder Cup is its capacity to portray the players in an entirely different light to what we are normally accustomed. Like top-level tennis, tournament golf is, for the most part, a sport in which individuals require a large degree of single-minded selfishness to be successful. Working within the framework of a team environment does not come naturally to self-centred sportsmen who are used to looking after number one. However, similar to the effect that the Davis Cup has on tennis players, the Ryder Cup dispels the myth that golfers are incapable of putting their egos to one side and placing the demands of their country or their continent ahead of their personal needs. The necessity to engender a special camaraderie and team spirit will be uppermost in the thoughts of Hong Kong's golf selectors when they put their heads together this week. The task facing chairman Paul Curley, Brian Choa, Hugh Staunton and Alec Pettigrew is to choose a team that will be committed to the Hong Kong cause in November's Asia-Pacific men's amateur team championship for the Nomura Cup at Fanling. Despite the advantage of playing on home soil, it would be unrealistic to suggest that Hong Kong's true amateurs will challenge world champions Australia, New Zealand and Asian powerhouses Japan, Taiwan and Korea for top honours. Nevertheless, that does not alter the brief of the selection committee, whose aim is to knit together four individuals into a tight unit. As Ryder Cup captains will affirm, it is not always the case that the best players are the best choices. Of almost equal importance to pure ability are battling qualities and a burning desire to represent your country. By dint of his status as national champion, Eric Saxvik is certain of his place in Hong Kong's Nomura starting lineup. He will be joined by the winner of this week's 36-hole trial, the results of which will also be taken into consideration when selecting the two 'wild cards'. While the nine Hong Kong hopefuls who tee off over the New Course on Wednesday will draw inspiration from the daring deeds of the Ryder Cup stars who kept them spellbound over the weekend, they will also learn that there are no trials without tribulations. Spencer Robinson is Managing Editor of Asian Golfer