Ciao Roma from Cindy B

October 30, 2023

1:02 AM

Ciao Roma

When Cindy Stephenson told us that she was headed to the Ryder Cup in Italy and offered to share her story with us, we jumped at the opportunity. Here’s a little journal encapsulating her trip.

I am finally on my way to Rome! I have been waiting on this day for so long. I can't believe it's actually happening! I am such a lucky girl. My flight from JAX was delayed, but thank goodness I made my connecting flight in Atlanta with one minute to spare.

Landed in Rome at 8 am. Thankful that a friend had lined up a driver for me. It was so exciting to see someone at the airport holding a sign with my name on it. It happens all the time in the movies, but it was a first for me. Checked in to my room at the Hotel Villa Pamphili Roma. Great room with a king-sized bed and my own private balcony. Grabbed some breakfast, took a quick shower, and headed to the course.

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I made it to the Ryder Cup! It’s pretty amazing to have three people from St. Simons Island representing the U.S.: Team Captain Zach Johnson, Vice-Captain Davis Love III, and Team Member Brian Harman!

2023 Ryder Cup Team USA

I actually got a seat in the grandstand on the first hole to watch the groups tee off. What an experience! The crowds were so loud, and it was fun seeing all the costumes people wore. I have heard the “Ole Ole” song so much that I’m convinced I’ll still be able to hear it in my sleep once I get home.

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Met a very nice family, Kirsty, Erin, and Iain Stoddart, on the shuttle bus and ended up hanging out with them all day. Iain is the agent for Robert MacIntyre, one of the European golfers. We had a great time drinking Moscow mules and enjoying delicious food.

Met up with Jonathan Byrd (another PGA TOUR golfer from SSI) and his wife Amanda, to walk the course for the Junior Ryder Cup, where their son Jackson was playing as a member of the US team.

I even got to ride in the golf cart with US Team Co-Captains Stewart Cink and Davis Love III!

Watching Jackson Byrd in the Junior Ryder Cup. Thursday morning was a practice day for the US and Europe Ryder Cup teams after the Junior teams played through. Jackson was in the last group, and the US team was scheduled to start their practice on hole 10, so they couldn’t start their practice until he played through. That was quite an audience for a 17-year-old junior from Frederica Academy! So excited for him!

My first bowl of pasta in Italy was penne with chicken in a pesto sauce and it was delicious!

I was grateful for the chance to get some time and a photo with US Team Captain Zach Johnson and his lovely family.

I always love running in to Capers Childs and Abby Jane Johnson, being in Rome just made it extra special!

I couldn’t be in Rome without visiting Vatican City! This is just before a tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. It was very interesting to learn that Vatican City is the smallest country in the world. It covers just over 100 acres and is located entirely in the city of Rome.

One of my favorite things in the Vatican Museum was the Pietà, the famous marble representation of Mary and Jesus at his tomb sculpted by Michangelo in 1489.

The artwork in the Sistine Chapel was absolutely breathtaking! No photography is allowed inside, so I had to settle for a picture taken in the hallway leading up to it.

The Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheater. Construction of the Colosseum began sometime between C.E. 70 and 72 under the emperor Vespasian. The inside view of the colosseum gives you a better idea of its massive size. I still can't believe how big it is and that it was built without the use of man-made machinery.

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Got to throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain for good luck! But I’m in Rome—how much luckier can I be?!

I ran into more great friends from the island: Alfred and Riley Sams, Patrick and Susan Dunn, and Campbell and Ann Williams, who were also staying at the Villa Hotel Pamphili with their children. They invited me to accompany them to dinner at Emma, a wonderful restaurant in downtown Rome. After dinner, we walked around found a place with delicious gelato. Known to be the oldest ice cream parlor in Rome, Giolitti has been around over 125 years! I had a scoop of white chocolate and a scoop of pink grapefruit. A tasty combination!