Don't call them "rookies", at least not in the way that the word is normally bandied about. Europe has never brought so many newcomers to any Ryder Cup match as for this week's shindig in Brookline and, for many, that appears to be a cause for great concern, even leading to a sense of inevitable defeat - and nothing other than a restoration of old ways and American dominance - in some quarters.

Really? How can it be so? The torch has been passed on from a legion of players (Seve, Faldo, Woosie, Langer et al) who regenerated a dying competition to a newer generation but, already, some people are worried that the flame is in danger of being extinguished even before the latest players to answer Europe's call have had a chance to prove themselves.

Yet, history doesn't see it that way. Sure, seven players making their Ryder Cup debuts for Europe this week is a record number - but, on the flip side, there were five debutants in Valderrama two years ago (who won that one?) and, upon retracing the records and contributions of those players who have made their debut appearances in the biennial competition since Europe gained the upper hand in 1985, it becomes apparent that European players, in the main, are bred for the task. These players aren't inexperienced.

In Valderrama two years ago, the five "rookies" - Thomas Bjorn, Jesper Parnevik, Lee Westwood, Darren Clarke and Ignacio Garrido - were supposed to be Europe's Achilles heel. Instead, they were the men who walked all over the Americans on the first two days: in their eight matches (at that stage), they'd lost only once as Europe jumped into a 9-4 lead. By comparison, the four American rookies - Tiger Woods, Justin Leonard, Jim Furyk and Scott Hoch - had played seven matches and won only two.

On the eve of that match, Bernhard Langer had opined: "All we hear about is Tiger Woods, but we have got some great young players in Europe." And, on the Saturday evening as his words were gaining new credibility, Ian Woosnam managed to put his finger on it. "These guys (Europe's five rookies) have been playing the European Tour for a few years now. I don't think they need to be told too much," he said.

So, rather than rookies merely finding their feet, the latest list of European Ryder Cup newcomers should be considered hardened professionals. After all, the route to selection - certainly for those who made it as automatic picks - is a tough one that takes in over a year's competition. Anyone who ends up in the team fully deserves it.

Here's some food for thought. Since 1985, there have been 20 Ryder rookies in Europe's team. Only three of them have failed to score on their debut appearances: Jose Rivero, the lone newcomer for the 1985 match was limited to just one singles outing (a loss to Calvin Peete) at The Belfry; and, in 1993, Barry Lane lost all three of his matches while Costantino Rocca was beaten in both of his matches. David Gilford, in the 1991 match at Kiawah Island, lost both of his first two matches but was the name in the envelope when Steve Pate cried off on the morning of the final day's singles and, so, was credited with a half.

In the main, Europe's newcomers to the competition have fared well. Many of them have performed heroically.

Jose Maria Olazabal's debut year, in 1987 at Muirfield Village, is a case in point. The Americans had five rookies, compared to Europe's two. Olazabal's partnership with Seve Ballesteros yielded three out of four points in foursomes and fourballs as the so-called Spanish Armada set sail. It was the first time that Europe managed to win on American soil, and Olly's inspirational partnership with Ballesteros was a key element of that victory.

Even in defeat, it is possible to select some notable performances by debutants. At Kiawah Island in 1991, for instance, a place where David Gilford was on the point of despair on his introduction to Ryder Cup combat, Paul Broadhurst marked his first appearance in the competition by winning his two matches and, two years later, at the Belfry, Peter Baker emerged with three out of four points from his initiation. Yet, ironically, that 1993 match was perhaps the only occasion in recent times that the rookies failed to deliver: from 11 matches, they emerged with just four points. And that was the crucial difference in the end.

However, the performances of rookies in the subsequent matches - at Oak Hill in 1995 and Valderrama in 1997 - confirm that European players have the nerve for the heat of the battle, and should provide some inspiration to the seven newcomers in the run-up to Brookline.

No-one exemplified this heart as much in Oak Hill as Philip Walton, a debutant. Pitched against Jay Haas in a match that the American himself conceded was to be no more than the "icing on the cake" for a home win, Walton held on for a crucial win which ensured that Europe won the coveted trophy.

And, in Valderrama, there was further evidence that European rookies are made of the right stuff. When Seve Ballesteros asked Ignacio Garrido how many matches he thought he could play, the Spaniard replied: "All five!" In four outings, the man they call "Nacho" lost only once.

Rookie Jesper Parnevik, who had a cap specially made for the Ryder Cup with the logo sewn on the bottom of his up-turned brim, also lost only once from four matches and Darren Clarke won one out of two matches. But, perhaps, the bravest debut appearance of all came from Thomas Bjorn, the first Dane to play in the biennial event.

"You dream about the Ryder Cup, but when you get to the Ryder Cup you have to go there and play some golf," remarked Bjorn. He did. Bjorn didn't get a game until partnered with Ian Woosnam (a player with a superb record of guiding rookie players) in the second fourballs - and they won. And, in the singles, he recovered from a terrible start against Justin Leonard to claw his way back into the match and secure a crucial half-point for the Europeans.

So, when someone points out that European have seven rookies, to America's one, a certain world number two by the name of David Duval, admit that, of course, so much new blood and a very, very good USA team and home terrain makes the Americans hot favourites to regain the much-coveted trophy. But also remember that Europe's rookies tend to do rather well. Since 1985, better than American rookies, in fact!