In search of the nine ball

[Redbeck]

Just to underwrite the fact that the alpha numeric conversion patterns we project have no boundaries, even reaching out to embrace a cluster of small balls, occasionally entangled in the long grass, but generally being propelled to perfection from fairway to green. The 39th Ryder Cup, a sporting event that pits the cream of European golfers against those of the USA, began at Medinah in Chicago this very day.

MEDINAH
13-5-4-9-14-1-8
4+5+4+9+5+1+8
3+6
=9