The Fore Report: 2011 U.S. Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle, Ireland "Battle at The Castle"

Well, the 2010 season is flying by us which means that the 2011 U.S. Solheim Cup will be hear before you know it. Afterall, we are only 9 1/2 weeks away from Christmas! And, 337 days away from the "Battle at The Castle" but who's counting? hehe

This year's Captain, Rosie Jones and her Assistant Captains Juli Inkster & Sheri Steinhauer agree. After the RICOH Women's British Open, they took a looksee at the course, the accomodations, everything that will soon surround them at the 2011 U.S. Solheim Cup. Anything from the room sizes, the locker room, the food, the bus routes, the furniture, TV, computers, etc.

Whilst there, the Captains were able able to see the course in tournament conditions since the Ladies European Tour was hosting the Ladies Irish Open. Playing in that tournament were Christina Kim, Brittany Lincicome, Kristy McPherson, Brittany Lang and Angela Stanford. All five were members of the 2009 U.S. Solheim Cup Team at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, IL.

I have attached the table below, showing the 2011 U.S. Solheim Point Standings and the European Team Standings. As you will note, the U.S. uses the top 10 in point standings and 2 Captains picks. Europe uses the top 4 on Europe Standings, top 4 on Rolex Standings and 4 Captains picks.

The European Team will be Captained by Allison Nicholas and Assistants Annika Sorenstam and Joanne Morley, all shown below. Yes, Allison was able to convince Annika to come out of retirement to be her right hand lady, her Vice Captain! She will be a great asset to the European Team and Allison will count on her to be the "mastermind on course strategy". I think that's a job Annika can certainly excel at.

It's not too early to start planning your travel accomodations if you are fortunate to be going. You can check out Solheim Cup Travel link or go to The Solheim Cup site by clicking on this link provided. You can find The Solheim Cup on Facebook as well.

U.S. AND EUROPEAN SOLHEIM CUP POINTS STANDINGS

2011 U.S. Solheim Cup Points Standings - 10/15/2010			2011 European Solheim Cup Points Standings - 10/15/2010
Rank	Name	Points	Rank	Name	Points
1	Cristie Kerr	363.0	1	Laura Davies	150.33
2	Michelle Wie	213.0	2	Melissa Reid	81.83
3	Morgan Pressel	211.0	3	Virginie Lagoutte-Clement	79.25
4	Angela Stanford	168.0	4	Suzann Pettersen	68.50
5	Paula Creamer	163.0	5	Trish Johnson	63.17
6	Brittany Lang	142.0	6	Marianne Skarpnord	55.67
7	Brittany Lincicome	138.0	7	Iben Tinning	54.58
8	Kristy McPherson	110.0	Rolex Rankings
9	Christina Kim	107.0	1	Anna Nordqvist	11
10	Stacy Lewis	91.0	2	Catriona Matthew	27
11	Vicky Hurst	77.0	3	Sophie Gustafson	28
12	Juli Inkster	63.0	4	Maria Hjorth	41
13	Stacy Prammanasudh	52.0	5	Azahara Munoz	42
14	Natalie Gulbis	43.0	6	Karine Icher	74
15	Wendy Ward	42.0	7	Karen Stupples	78
Top-10 automatically qualify and the captain has two picks.			Top-4 on European points list and top-4 on Rolex Rankings qualify along with four captain picks.

2011 European Solheim Cup Points Standings - 10/15/2010
Rank	Name	Points
1	Laura Davies	150.33
2	Melissa Reid	81.83
3	Virginie Lagoutte-Clement	79.25
4	Suzann Pettersen	68.50
5	Trish Johnson	63.17
6	Marianne Skarpnord	55.67
7	Iben Tinning	54.58
Rolex Rankings
1	Anna Nordqvist	11
2	Catriona Matthew	27
3	Sophie Gustafson	28
4	Maria Hjorth	41
5	Azahara Munoz	42
6	Karine Icher	74
7	Karen Stupples	78
Top-4 on European points list and top-4 on Rolex Rankings qualify along with four captain picks.