What a pleasure it was to watch three days of golf competition with American and European lady golfers. It had great players and they worked so hard for their teams to make for an enjoyable tournament. This tournament was played at Crooked Stick Golf Course in Carmel, Indiana.

With Nancy Lopez as Captain of the American team was a great choice as she fought so hard to keep her team working the best that they could do. It was a hard fought tournament as the Europeans surged ahead the first day on Friday with Annika Sorenstan and Laurie Davies as the leaders who spurred their team on to a 5-3 victory.

The Solheim Tournament is played like the Ryder Cup for men with two rounds each of the first two days. The morning round was team play and the second round of the day was best ball. The Europeans came from behind and surged to their victory on day one. It plays different when you are paired with another golfer and playing alternate shots of best ball it makes you play a different type of game than the usual individual tournaments.

Day two was another matter the momentum swung back to the Americans as they came from behind to tie the match all square at 8 each. The American team was made up of several veteran golfers and rest rookie to this type of championship play. It was wonderful to see these young girls come from behind to play their best. I enjoyed their enthusiasm and cheering each other on to victory. I especially liked the celebration of young rookie player Christina Kim who revved up the crowd with her jubilation. It surely got the crowd behind them.

I have watched the veteran players for so many years like Juli Inkster, Meg Mallon, Beth Daniels and Rosie Jones but these rookie players are going to be so much fun to watch. I enjoy watching this type of tournament as there are so many different types of games that can swing the tournament one way or the other. The final day is individual play and the American team was solid as it finally came down to Med Mallon’s putt that gave the American the win. To see the composure of these fine player’s and their celebration after the win makes you feel so proud of them.

During the final delivery of the trophy and Nancy Lopez’s speech was a great end to an amazing tournament. Nancy was so humble and proud of all the players as she thanked each and every one. She also remember with solemn words for the 9/11 anniversary and also for the hurricane Katrina displaced people from the devastation and floods. It was a joyous moment to win but she said we all are blessed to live in America and finished with “God Bless America”.