April 13, 2010
Kraft Nabisco Championship!
My first duties as Captain of the 2011 Solheim Cup was to visit the Kraft Nabisco Championship out in Palm Springs, California. I know, tough duty for me as I strolled around the lush flower and palm tree laden grounds of Mission Hills CC watching the U.S. Players qualified to be there for the first Major Championship of the year.
Since my retirement in 2006 I haven't had the luxury of knowing all the players personally from a player's point of view, so it's important for me to get out there and reconnect with the ones I have played with and get to know those new American additions to the tour who I have not known. Of course watching them on TV keeps me in tune with how they are playing, but watching them in person really allows you to see their personality and style of play which will be important for me to know in the next several months.
While I was there I spent a lot of time on the course watching almost every U.S. born player at least for a few holes during the Pro-Am and then again in competition as the tournament got under way. I felt like I was watching Brittany Lincicome and Michelle Wie play a different golf course from the one I played all those years as I watched their long tee shots on the par 4's and par 5's. I also watched veterans Michelle Redman, Pat Hurst, and Sherri Steinhauer, who all made the cut, and Angela Stanford, Brittany Lang, Morgan Pressel, Kristie McPhearson and Cristie Kerr, who all had good finishes, Cristie leading the pack at Tied for 5th, each of them picking up double Solheim Cup points at the major. Stacy Lewis, second year pro from Arkansas had a good showing making points and young pro Vicky Hurst shot her way into contention going into the weekend.
Another great source of information for me on the course was the support group following these players including parents, spouses and teachers. Getting to know them through those eyes are just as important to me as watching them play as I get figure out over the next several months just how we as a team will go into this competition.
Also out on the course were several former Solheim Cup Captains Judy Rankin, Beth Daniel, and Betsy King, whose information and experiences will be invaluable for me to tap into as I continue my adventure towards Ireland. And while getting some Solheim stories from Judy Rankin's husband Yippy, Paul Azinger walked up (he was there commentating for CBS) and I was able to get into his head for a while to ask questions about his triumphs as Captain of the Ryder Cup.
Later in the week, I met with the Ireland group hosting the 2011 Competition at Killeen Castle and was able to borrow the Waterford Solheim Cup Trophy for just a moment to take some Pictures with it in my hand. Now that, I could get use to!
All in all it was a great week for me and I look forward to my next tour stop. Stay tuned to May 13 -16 at the Bell Micro in Mobile Alabama where I will be announcing my two Assistant Solheim Cup Captains.
Untill then, Relax but Attack! Go USA!
Captain Rojo!
