Solheim Cup Diaries with Stewart Craig - Days 3 & 4
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INSIDE THE ROPES DAY 3 Team Practice Day 2 - Tuesday Today was the first official team practice session with the players going out in 4 balls for a full practice round. The day started on the range at 7.30 a.m. with all of the players from both teams going through their normal warm up routines.
7.40 a.m. and I think that’s Scotch Mist I see rolling over the practice area.
Becky played in the group which also involved Laura Davies, Maria Hjorth and Anna Nordqvist, which teed off second after the game involving Tania Elosegui, Gwladys Nocera, Helen Alfredsson and Sophie Gustafson and bringing up the rear were the group of Catriona Matthew, Janice Moodie, Diana Luna and Suzann Petersen.
One noticeable thing today was how big the galleries were out on the course, I don’t think I have ever seen so many spectators on a practice day. The other thing that was interesting today was how many autograph hunters were seeking out European players for autographs. The American galleries are very familiar with all of the European players and were wishing them well for the rest of the week, there is definitely a very friendly and very fair attitude around in this early part of the week, I wonder if it will stay around?????
The course here at Rich Harvest farms is a very stiff test for these girls due to its length but also due to the fact that it has been wet here and the course is definitely playing its full length. A number of drives today actually spun backwards after they had landed so it will be advantageous for the longer hitters. With that in mind I witnessed today some of the most impressive ball striking I have ever seen in woman’s golf, with Laura, Becky and Maria all sending it out there an extremely long way. Anna Nordqvist was not as long as the other 3 girls off the tee but never missed one fairway, probably the reason why she is one of the very few players ever to win a Major Championship in her rookie year on tour.
Becky rips one off the 6th tee, a very long and demanding tee shot
Captain Alison Nicholas must be commended for the work she and her Vice Captains and helpers have put in to really make this a fantastic experience for all of the team members and caddies. A lot of attention has been taken to even the finest detail and I am sure this will pay dividends come the end of the week.
Alison Nicholas checking out her team on the course in Europe 1 the fastest cart in the west.
All in all it was a very good day's practice with a good picture beginning to develop of how to maneuver your way around this difficult test of golf. The teams headed off at 4 p.m. for the official team photographs and for me it was a bit of retail therapy in the merchandise tent in the village before heading back to the hotel for dinner and another early night as tomorrow morning we will do it all over again as we build up to the big kick off on Friday morning.
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INSIDE THE ROPES DAY 4 Team Practice Day 3 - Wednesday Today started at 7.30 a.m. again on the range with the team warming up for their foursomes practice round. Today the pairings were swapped around and Becky was paired with Gwladys Nocera and Laura Davies played with Diana Luna with this game teeing off first at 8.30 a.m.
Today watching these girls playing foursomes golf, probably the most difficult format in team golf, was like watching an exhibition in precision golf. Brewerton and Nocera had 4 birdies in 9 holes but that was still only good enough for a half with Davies and Luna. The European Team really seem to be enjoying playing this golf course and confidence is growing every day.
Shot of the day today however must go to Janice Moodie who holed in 1 at the 175 yard par 3, 16th hole. A phenomenal shot to this elevated green into the wind and onto a very sloped green. The shout on the team radio right after the ball went into the hole was good pick Ali, referring of course to the fact that Janice was one of Captain Alison Nicholas’s picks for this event.
All of the team received a very special boost this afternoon when they returned to their rooms after practice. They had each received a letter from the great man himself Seve Ballesteros congratulating them on making the team wished them great success this week. The letter also received a very personal message from Seve to each of the girls the content of which I was not party too but it was obviously very stirring as there were a few tears around the team room this afternoon. Another master stroke by Alison in my opinion as no one person optimizes this kind of tournament like Seve. It’s about passion, determination, flair and a sheer determination to win. The evening saw the Gala Dinner, a very spectacular event with all the splendor and ceremony you would expect from the biggest event in the woman’s professional golfing calendar. The evening began with a drinks reception hosted by the LPGA where many of the biggest names in golf got together to look forward to the tournament ahead.
3 time Solheim Captain, Dale Reid OBE, myself and 4 time Solheim Captain & Sky Sports commentator this week Mickey Walker. As I said some of the biggest names in golf.
The evening then moved into the ballroom where 500 guests were welcomed by NBC sports reporter Peggy Kusinski who introduced Allan Solheim Director of Karsten Manufacturing and Allan delivered a blessing before dinner. After dinner a special video montage of previous Solheim cups was played on the massive screens strategically placed around the room which had the hairs on the back of everyone’s neck standing up, and if anyone still needed firing up for what lies ahead that would certainly have done it.
Then European Captain Alison Nicholas presented her team to the audience
And for anyone who has been in a coma for the last few weeks they are, from left to right
Liselotte Neumann & Joanne Morley Vice Captains, Helen Alfredsson, Becky Brewerton, Laura Davies, Tania Elosegui, Sophie Gustafson, Maria Hjorth, Diana Luna, Catriona Matthew, Janice Moodie, Gwladys Nocera, Anna Nordqvist and Suzann Peterson.
A fantastic evening was had by all and it was all done and dusted by 9 p.m. so it’s another early night and tomorrow we will be into the last days practice and opening ceremony. |
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