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The PING
Junior Solheim Cup is an experience of a lifetime –
an experience all the girls, Val Skinner and I will hold near
and dear to our hearts for a long time to come.
Being
vice captain for the team is a memory I will forever treasure.
Each and every girl on the team was a unique individual. Their
poise, maturity, sportsmanship and graciousness are qualities
many adults never seem to find. Somehow, these young adults
have perfected it. I know I was able to learn a great deal
from them and I am a better person for it.
In the
years to come, I will be able to look at the week with very
fond memories. Some of my favorite moments from that week
include:
- Taylor
Leon sinking a 70-yard approach shot for an eagle to win
the match. The cheers could be heard around the golf course.
To see the excitement shining in her eyes as she retold
the story was unbelievable.
- I get
a little choked up when I remember Ester Choe sinking a
6-foot putt to close out the morning matches on the first
day. It was fun to see the youngest member of the team and
her pure excitement in winning her first Junior Solheim
Cup match.
- I will
forever remember Jennifer Pandolfi and the example she set
for the team. In my six years in junior golf, I have never
seen 24 girls and four coaches be so taken with a player.
Her ability to make everyone feel included and important
showed a strength of character that was well beyond her
years. She was one of the first American girls to cross
the international line and befriend the European girls.
It was very impressive to watch her eat lunch (the only
American) with the entire European team on the final day
we were in Sweden.
- I feel
honored and privileged to know a person like Allison Goodman.
As a late addition to the team, I was so impressed with
her attitude, golf game and ability to adapt to different
situations so easily. She was able to overcome her nervousness
and play some of the best golf I have seen. I hope one day
she will share her secret to success with the rest of us!
- I will
also remember Paula Creamer and the leadership and support
she offered the team. As a veteran of the team, she was
able to lend her advice, wisdom and her strength to her
team members.
- As
far as memories go, I would be remiss not to mention Morgan
Pressel and the loss she suffered prior to departing for
Sweden. Kathryn Krickstein Pressel, her mother, passed away
on September 5. Her loss was shared throughout the team.
The girls’ hearts were broken for Morgan. She was
in our thoughts and prayers throughout the entire week.
Every morning everyone would paint “MP” on their
face and we kept Morgan’s name plaque on our cart.
Morgan was also able to send us bandanas to wear and we
all wore them proudly. Although the girls were disappointed
they were not able to bring home the Junior Solheim Cup
for Morgan, I have never seen 12 girls try harder.
I thank
the members of the 2003 PING Junior Solhem Cup team for their
hard work and dedication to the team. Although we were unable
to retain the cup, I have never been more proud and I feel
privileged to go down in the history books as part of this
team.
I hope
you enjoy the pictures included in the photo
gallery.
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