3 Days, 2 Continents, 1 Cup.....Solheim Cup 2011

That's right, 19 days, 15 hours, 34 minutes and 34 seconds away from the 2011 Solheim Cup! The event is taking place at Killeen Castle in Meath, Ireland.

This is a match-play format over the course of 3 days. The prior event was in 2009 at Rich Harvest Farms outside of Chicago in Sugar Grove. The USA took the Cup for those that weren't there or didn't tune in. I was fortunate enough to be there in person and watch this victory.
This year, a spectacular time will be had at Killeen Castle in Ireland. All of the pictures I'm sure, do not do it justice as being there in person would. I did have the opportunity to win a trip to the Solheim via a contest at this year's StateFarm Classic. I just needed Brittany Lincicome to finish ahead of Cristie Kerr. Everyone thought I had the win and then Brittany unfortunately started dropping strokes once she hit hole #16. The momentum that Kerr is known to bring on Sunday, was enough to propel her above Brittany but not to win the tourney. I already had picked my dear friend MaryAnn (@Ouchieee) to accompany me if I won. She is such a golf fanatic and we had a great time at the past two StateFarm Classics together. The winner of the tournament was Yani Tseng and Cristie finished ahead of Brittany. So, I won't be there live for this years Solheim Cup, but I will be there in Spirit & Heart!

For those that haven't downloaded the 2011 Solheim Cup app, you need to! This app is awesome! There are so many ways that you'll be able to follow the action, if you can't be there in person.

You can also bookmark the tourney website which is; SolheimCup.com . Then, there is the LPGA.COM . There's no reason to not follow the ladies and your team, whether that be USA or Europe! The TV schedule for the Solheim is via the Golf Channel as follows;

SEPT. 23 2:30 AM-1:00 PM GC

SEPT. 24 2:30 AM-1:00 PM GC

SEPT. 25 5:00-11:30 AM GC

Now, your Team USA Players with 9 returning members from '09 are; Cristie Kerr, Stacey Lewis, Morgan Pressel, Angela Stanford, Paula Creamer, Michelle Wie, Brittany Lincicome, Brittany Lang, Juli Inkster and Christina Kim. Finishing off the dozen are captains picks Vicky Hurst and Ryan O'Toole. As most of you know, Juli Inkster was chosen to be the assistant captain to Rosie Jones along with Sherri Steinhauer however, she earned her way into a spot and will be the first player/captain ever to play on either team USA or team Europe. While they are also touting her as the oldest player to participate in the Solheim Cup, this has little significance considering she plays to the level of those many years younger and earned her spot on the team just as anyone else has, regardless of her age! Team USA takes the top ten qualifiers and then has the two captains picks to round round out the USA Dozen.

Team Europe is Captained by Allison Nicholas. Her assistant captains are Joanne Morley and Annika Sorentam. While deriving at the European Dozen is slightly different that Team USA, Allison had 4 captains picks after the top 8 qualifiers. Her team consists of: Melissa Reid, Laura Davies, Suzann Pettersen, Christel Boeljon, Maria Hjorth, Anna Nordqvist, Catriona Matthew, Sophie Gustafson. Her 4 wildcard picks were Azahara Munoz, Caroline Hedwall, Karen Stupples and Sandra Gal. Captain Nicholas was also the captain for the 2009 European Team, at Rich Harvest Farms.

I for one, was ecstatic to see one of my favorites Karen Stupples be chosen for Team Europe. She was also on the European Team in 2005, when played at Crooked Stick. She has had victories at the Women's British Open in '04 as well as the Welch Fry's Championship in '04 and most recently the '09 Wales Ladies Championship. She's a sweet gal and always a pleasure to watch and/or tweet with.

Another favorite Christina Kim, has been a returning member of Team USA and very well known to The Solheim Cup for getting the crowd pumped. They love Christina and she is always a pleasure to watch and a crowd favorite. I expect no less in Ireland.

Before the ladies travel to Co. Meath, Ireland for The Solheim Cup, the LPGA will have 2 tournaments; the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship from Rogers Arkansas Sept. 9011 and also the Navistar LPGA Classic in Prattville Alabama. I will have additional postings on those tourneys as they near.

Now, Go Hit Some Balls...........