August 6, 2010
Solheim Cup Site Check at Killeen Castle, Ireland
By Rosie Jones, Captain of the 2011 US Solheim Cup Team!

June and July have been a Captain’s dream as two of the Major Championships this summer have been won by Americans.  Cristie Kerr blows away the field by 12 shots to win her 2nd major at the LPGA Championship in Rochester, NY.  And Paula Creamer comes back after hand surgery to win her first major at the Women’s US Open held at Oakmont, Pittsburg, PA.  Two gutsy performances by experienced Solheim Cup players racking up double points for the major wins.  Proving the depth of the Americans this year, we are averaging 6 American players each week making points toward the race to Ireland.   Excellent numbers given the international presence on the LPGA!

 
As a Tour Player on the LPGA, the importance of preparation was key to my success as a player and champion, and now as The Captain of the US Solheim Cup Team, I’m practicing those same values as we look forward to next September in Ireland.  Last week I arrived back home after spending 4 days in County Meath, Ireland checking out our Hotel and Golf facilities where the US Team will be staying and preparing for the competition.  This will be my only look at Killeen Castle besides a short practice session scheduled mid summer next year.

 
Joined by my Assistant Captains Juli Inkster and Sherri Steinhauer after their play at the British Open, we spent the next two days going over every detail of what we will need to make sure our team is ready to play when the bell rings September 23rd of O-11!  Where will the players stay, what will their rooms look like?  Where is their locker room, how big is it?  Where do they eat, what kind of food, snacks?  Players are professional athletes and their Physical Therapist is important, where is that space located?  Work out space and equipment?  Team room, Furniture needs?  Autograph room, TV’s, PC’s.  What is our Bus route, Security procedures, practice facility like and located?   Caddies, helpers, family accommodations!  You name it; we pondered the different options in front of us and together came up with a good plan for our team.  

 
Breaking out for some fresh Irish air the three of us were then off to see the golf course and check out the fairly new Nicholas designed, Killeen Castle.  Lucky for me I was able to play the course a week in advance, so I got a first hand look at it as we drove our carts around looking at the layout.

 
Not your typical links course, this parkland track looked very appealing and familiar to us as we drove the beautiful velvety plush fairways.  The Ladies’ European Tour (LET) was hosting the Women’s Irish Open, so we were able to view the course in tournament conditions.  I was happy to see 5 of our 2009 Solheim Cup players, (Christina Kim, Brittany Lincicome, Brittany Lang, Angela Stanford, and Kristy McPherson) were there to get their first look at Killeen Castle in their preparation to be back there in 2011 Solheim Cup!  They’re first response about the course was how much it reminded them of Rich Harvest Farms, site of the 2009 event in which they won with Captain Daniel.  Good vibes already!

 
Well the entire week wasn’t all work and no play!  USA star Christina Kim and I were able to team up against the European Captain Alison Nicholas and Sophie Gustafson for the Killeen Castle Fly Fishing Tournament.   After several minutes of casting and unraveling our lines by both teams, Sophie was able to land the only fish caught that afternoon to win a very nice glass vase with the Fly Fishing Tournament name etched on its side.  Lots of fun and both Sophie and Christina relished the experience of finding a new passion for the sport.  Being somewhat experienced at fly fishing, I Know how they feel,  but my competitive spirit was bruised just a little bit as we head back to the club house empty handed. 

Oh well, it’s just fishing and our spirits were lifting as CK and I remembered that it’s us, the U.S., who still hold on to the piece of glass that really counts.
The Solheim Cup!

 
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Keep down the middle                                        

Relax but Attack!