Despite a near-heroic final-day rally, Team USA was soundly beaten by Team Europe in the Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park outside of New York City. The final margin of 15-13 doesn’t tell the real story of what a lopsided match it was. No one on Team USA played poorly, but Team Europe seemed well-prepared and unified. Its members conducted themselves with composure, focus, and quiet confidence in the face of constant heckling by “New York fans.”

But is the excuse of being from New York a reason to be boorish, profane, and outright crude? Is the behavior of the fans from New York — surely there were a lot of other fans from around the country — acceptable because they are known for being rowdy, or is there something more going on?