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John Solheim
and Sherri Steinhauer were exhiliarated as they stood beside
the 18th green. One of those rare, defining moments had just
occurred and the elation on their faces showed it.
'(The
Solheim Cup) gave the young ladies the opportunity
to play in an international event with pressure
much like they will feel years from now,' Solheim,
left, explained. |
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“This
is what it’s all about, isn’t it,” remarked
the smiling CEO and chairman of PING to the ecstatic U.S.
team captain.
Jane Park had just rolled in a 30-foot chip on the 18th hole,
giving the United States a full point and an early boost of
confidence in the first morning’s matches at the PING
Junior Solheim Cup.
Unforgettable
While
playing for her country, with the match on the line, Park
withstood the intense pressure and made the perfect shot.
It was one of many moments that made this unique event special.
For one week in Minnesota – from the juniors’ arrival
at the inaugural PING Junior Solheim Cup to the Closing Ceremonies
of the seventh biennial Solheim Cup – memorable moments
were the norm, not the exception.
More often than not, however, the memories were formed off
the course, far away from the competition.
Steinhauer enjoyed being a part of the interaction between
the 24 girls representing the United States and Europe.
The
interaction between the Euopean Team (left) and
the U.S. Team (Right) was an experience like no
other. |
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“They
were trying to teach each other dances and learn their languages,”
she said. “They were stealing their music. There was
all this fun stuff going on. I’m just happy I was chosen
to be captain.”
European team captain Marta Figueras-Dotti was pleased by
the way the competition was confined to the course.
“Once they walked off the golf course, it was a different
story,” she said. “They would talk, mingle, share
stories. At first, the girls were tentative. Two days later,
they were having a great time together.”
PING had a lot to do with the off-the-course special moments.
When John Solheim and his mother Louise – honorary event
chairperson– arrived in Minnesota they headed straight
to Outback Steakhouse to join the junior teams for dinner.
The Solheim family’s presence was enormous throughout
the week, as they attended Opening and Closing Ceremonies
and enjoyed the daily competition.
“The presence of the Solheims was very special,”
Steinhauer said. “It really showed their interest and
their dedication to the tournament and to the girls.”
The Solheims were not the only VIPs in attendance, as they
were joined at the Ceremonies by LPGA Commissioner Ty Votaw
and Ladies European Tour Chief Ian Randell.
HANGING WITH THE LADIES
The juniors were granted an all-access pass to
interact with the stars of the LPGA Solheim Cup.
Here, part of the U.S. team caught up with Annika
Sorenstam. |
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As the
PING Junior Solheim Cup concluded, the memories continued
to flow.
Millions of Solheim Cup television viewers watched the U.S.
ladies celebrate their victory Sunday by circling together
and cheering, “USA! All the Way!” What they didn’t
see is the practice round where the women learned the cheer
from the girls.
Just a few days earlier, the junior and ladies teams had the
chance to meet. Following the junior event, the girls headed
off to Interlachen for a press conference, junior clinic and
Solheim Cup gala reception.
“The first time they got to see the women was at the
gala reception,” Steinhauer said. “They all came
in and said ‘Congratulations’ to the girls and talked
to them for a while. They met Kathy Whitworth, Patty Berg,
Helen Alfredsson and lots of others.”
During Thursday’s practice round, the women invited them
inside the ropes. As the U.S. girls walked the fairways alongside
the likes of Juli Inkster, Beth Daniel, and Kelly Robbins,
they seemed to be walking on air.
“I saw them all behind the green at 16,” Steinhauer
said. “Then I saw them all in the fairway, going up 17.
It gave me chills.”
The procession didn’t stop at the 18th hole, however.
“These girls, they’re not afraid,” Steinhauer
said. “They followed them right into the locker room.”
After the girls were honored at the Solheim Cup Opening Ceremonies,
they achieved borderline celebrity status. On the golf course,
on the shuttle buses, they were easily recognizable in their
team colors and golf fans knew exactly who they were. On the
course, the ladies did not forget them. When Dottie Pepper
spotted a group of girls in red, she approached the ropes
to speak with her “old” friends.
And each morning, it was hard to miss the juniors as they
snagged a front-row view of the tee shots on the first tee.
“It was fun watching them watch the players,” Steinhauer
said. “I was so proud of them; they’re such good
kids.”
THE SPIRIT OF COMPETITION
Back
to Oak Ridge Country Club, it didn’t take long for the
girls to catch some team spirit. When Steinhauer arrived for
the pracice round, her girls taught her their team cheer and
gave her the “team accessories.” Each girl on the
team proudly sported a USA ankle sock, stars-and-stripes bandana,
and tattoo on her cheek. Steinhauer jumped right on board
with her team’s patriotic garb.
While
winning was a goal for both teams, friendships were
still formed on and off the golf course. Here, Carmen
Alonso and Mallory Code shake hands after their
match. |
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For the
European side, their enthusiasm was abundant, and came through
in their team cheer – a verse from the Spanish version
of the Sugar Hill Gang’s Rapper’s Delight. Many
of the U.S. girls attempted to learn the catchy cheer.
Of course, the most difficult song to learn was the Finnish
National Anthem. But the AJGA staff gave it their best effort
at the first day cookout. It was far from good, but Finnish
player Minea Blomqvist appreciated the mangled version of
her country’s song, nonetheless.
When two of the most charismatic European players, Emma Cabrera
and Dewi Claire Schreefel, begged tournament director Bobby
Powell for a dance party, he obliged. It was yet another opportunity
for the girls to mix and mingle and share cultures. One common
thread among players of all countries was their appreciation
for loud music. Any of the team shuttle drivers will verify
that.
Another common thread was the team’s desire to win. With
24 of the world’s best junior girls on one course, each
team put its all into being the first to engrave its name
on the Cup.
When Paula Creamer went out for the first match of the day
in Singles, she left a rousing note for her 11 teammates yet
to follow:
“USA Girls – Let’s go out and play hard. Never
give up and try your hardest. Best of luck. Love you, Paula.”
Paula’s team captain was very impressed with the message.
“I thought that was really insightful with her being
the first one out,” Steinhauer said.
Steinhauer, who experienced her first run as a team captain,
admitted that she did not know exactly what to expect. Her
girls made her feel welcome right away.
One of their first questions was ‘You’re gonna talk
to us, aren’t you?’
‘If you want me to,’ was Steinhauer’s reply.
‘Yeah, we want you there. We don’t want you back
hiding in the trees,’ the girls said.
And so it went. For the record, her girls won. But win or
lose, Steinhauer and her team had the time of their lives.
The same can be said for Figueras-Dotti and her 12 outstanding
players
“Bringing the girls from the continent I represent was
special,” Figueras-Dotti said. “I’m sure friendships
were made that will last.”
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