Meghan MacLaren has turned from the queen of the greens to a wizard with words to help give the Ladies European Tour a new brand and image. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

MEGHAN MacLaren and Suzann Pettersen have teamed up to help give the Ladies European Tour a fresh logo, updated website and tag line.

The Raise Our Game tagline aims to capture the ambition of the new LPGA-LET joint venture partnership – and a shared desire to keep moving women’s golf forward.

The brand refresh includes a short film created in-house, capturing the passion and potential of the LET players, celebrating their hard work, dedication and perseverance.

Narrated by Solheim Cup star Pettersen, with the script written by two-time LET winner MacLaren, it focuses on the hard work and determination it takes to achieve goals.

The pair hope to inspire women and girls to pursue their passion and realise their potential through the game of golf.

Talented writer MacLaren, who grew up playing golf at Wellingboro GC, in Northamptonshire, said: “I loved working on this project.

“It was great to play an active role in the new direction of our Tour.

“This is an exciting time for the LET and for women’s golf. To see the growth potential as we look ahead to the future for the next is very fulfilling.

“I’ve always worked hard to raise my game and I’m proud to be a member of a Tour which gives us the opportunity to raise our game further.”

Norwegian Suzann Pettersen narrated the video that launched the LET’s new look.
Picture by TRISTAN JONES

‘It’s something we can’t define . . .’

MEGHAN’S script focuses on the fierce commitment required to compete at the highest level.

It also highlights the importance of the friends, family and wider community of tournament promoters and sponsors who can drive women’s golf forward, said the LET.

The script reads: “It starts with something we can’t define. 

“t’s a dream, but we’re too young to know what it is, where it might take us.

“Our family, coaches, friends… they know. On cold winter mornings and warm summer nights, they help us shape it into something we believe in.

“Sometimes we lose it. Sometimes we stop believing. Sometimes we wonder if it’s all really worth it… but we don’t stop.

“Because in every new city that embraces us and every new partner who invests in us, on every Monday that promises and every Thursday that threatens to take away – we have a chance to find it again.

“A chance to believe again. A chance to make each moment our own.

“But it’s yours too, because you’re there by our side, guiding the way. You helped create it.

“So it’s time to believe, in all of our dreams. Together, let’s raise our game.”

•Megan also wrote a first-person piece telling the story of how she raised her game. You can read it here.

Suzann Petersen holed the winning putt at last year’s Solheim Cup. Picture by MARK RUNNACLES

‘The LET made me’ says Solheim Cup star

PETTERSEN – who holed the winning putt at the 2019 Solheim Cup – said at the rebranding launch: “I wouldn’t be where I am without the LET.

“I’m excited about the next chapter of the Tour’s history as it looks to provide even more opportunities for women and girls in the game.

“I’m thrilled to narrate this inspirational video, re-branding the new LET. The future is bright for the LET and its members.”

The 39-year-old Norwegian won 15 times on the LPGA Tour – including two Majors – and another six times on the LET.

After securing the Solheim Cup with that putt at Gleneagles, she promptly announced her retirement to focus on bringing up her son.

But the Scandinavian, who won the British Girls’ title at Wiltshire’s High Post GC in 1999, and played two Junior Ryder Cup matches, is not relinquisihing all ties with the LET just yet.

LET chief executive Alexandra Armas (left) with LPGA commissioner Mike Whan after her appointment – two months after the two Tours signed a joint venture deal. Picture by LPGA.

Future’s bright for LET says chief executive Armas

LET chief executive Alexandra Armas believes the tour has a bright future despite the uncertainties caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

She said: “This brand refresh expresses our excitement about the LET and its future.

“How passionate and proud we all are to represent this strong new brand and that we are in this journey together with our partners – determined to create greater opportunities for the women who play golf today, and for the ones that will follow in the future.

“It has been an unprecedented and eventful start to the new decade.

“In January, we announced a record-breaking schedule and we were extremely excited about the 2020 season.

“Due to the coronavirus pandemic, it has been a challenging time for us of late. But we are now focused on the long term.

“This is not only the time to preserve tournaments in 202 – but to build the future that we’re so excited about moving forward for women’s golf.

“The year 2020 is a building block to a bigger and better 2021, 2022 and beyond. Together, let’s do all we can to raise our game.”

The joint agreement between the LET and LPGA was signed in November.

As a result, it paved the way for this year’s expanded playing schedule, which was hit hard by the COVID-19 outbreak worldwide.

Armas was appointed in January in week the 2020 schedule was released.

Meghan MacLaren has won twice on the LET. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

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Woburn’s Charley Hull tied with Brokenhurst Women’s Open founder Liz Young – but won the play-off to become the first Rose Ladies Series winner. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

CHARLEY Hull won the first Rose Ladies Series Event in some style.

The Woburn ace defeated Hampshire heroine Liz Young with a birdie on the first extra hole at Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club, in the New Forest.

Spectators weren’t allowed inside the venue due to government social distancing guidelines.

But they would have been treated to a fantastic tournament and a thrilling finale which went to a play-off.

Both players carded level par rounds of 70 in overcast and windy conditions.

Young, who organised the event at her home club, played in the first group out and set the clubhouse target.

But she waited for three-and-a-half hours before Hull matched her score.

World No. 25 Hull was two strokes clear with two holes to play and looked to have the £5,000 winner’s cheque tucked in her back pocket.

But the Solheim Cup winner double bogeyed the par-four 17^th hole, after hitting a rescue wood off-line right into a ditch from the tee.

She had a chance to birdie the 18^th to win in regulation play but missed the putt on the hole.

The 18th is driveable when the county’s leading amateur players contest the Mike Smith Memorial Open, which was won by Hampshire junior Justin Rose, back in 1996.

After pitching on to the green, Hull took her chance at the first extra hole, rolling in a similar putt from 12 feet beyond the hole.

Charley Hull, from Woburn, receives her £5,000 cheque and a rose bowl from joint sponsor Kate Rose, wife of reigning Olympic Golf champion Justin. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

Charley’s been to Hull and back getting ready for return of LPGA

THE new champion was presented with a rose bowl and winner’s cheque for £5,000 by Kate Rose, wife of PGA Tour star Justin, who together, reportedly sponsored the series to the tune of £35,000.

That sum was believed to have been matched by sponsors American Golf enabling the Brokenhurst event to be rolled out into a series of eight tournaments in the next two months.

Hull hadn’t played a competitive round in almost five months – in fact since the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio, in Florida, in January.

Charley said: “I’m just so happy to be playing professional golf again and have a scorecard in my hand.

“The golf course was in great condition and it was my first time round here today.

“I was quite happy with my score. I doubled the 17^th because I  took a wrong line off the tee. But it was just great to be playing.

“I’ve missed it loads. I love playing golf. I’m pretty much golfed out because I’ve been playing every day. But I can’t wait to get back out on tour.

“I want to thank Justin and Kate Rose for putting these events on.

“You need to be playing to get back in the mindset. I’ve been playing a lot for the last few weeks and I played eight days on the trot.

“But it’s not the same as having a scorecard in your hand. I’ll go back to America in four weeks’ time, so hopefully this will get my brain back into tournament golf.”

Hull said she had never seen the course before but described the Harry Colt classic as a “hidden gem.”

Ex-amateur champs: Play-off rivals

HULL and Young – who was Liz Bennett as an amateur – are both past English Women’s Amateur Champions.

Young, the World No. 503, was pleased with finishing second, especially as she hadn’t played a competitive round in more than six months.

“I was excited and really nervous,” said Young, who last played at the Magical Kenya Ladies Open in December.

“It has been a long time since a card was in the hand. I was playing on my own course, so had the home advantage.

“But I also know where all the trouble is. I was really happy with how I played and level par, because it was playing tough out there.

“I was playing well in practise and I just hadn’t put much time in on the course.

“It’s all coming together and I’m just excited that I’ve got another seven tournaments in which to play.

“This is the start of something great for UK golf and hopefully this will continue.”

Essex’s Gabriella Cowley finished third on 71, with Hertfordshire’s Hannah Burke in fourth a further shot back.

Holly Calvert and Berkhamsted’s Alice Hewson – who won the Investec South African Women’s Open champion on her first start as a Ladies European Tour rookie – tied for fifth.

Liz Young with her husband and caddy Jon having seen the dream of creating the Brokenhurst Manor Women’s Open to help LET players get back into tournament golf.
Picture by TRISTAN JONES

Wentworth to stage final round of Grand Final

THERE will be a Rose Ladies Series Event played on Thursday each week, in June and July, leading up to the Grand Final on August 6-7.

The opening round will be played at The Berkshire, in Ascot, with the final round to be hosted on the famous West Course at Wentworth.

With Justin Rose’s management team Excel Sports teaming up with Young to put on the series, the England Golf ambassador was able to invite three of the country’s leading amateurs to play.

ROSE LADIES SERIES
June 25: Moor Park Golf Club
July 2: Buckinghamshire Golf Club
9: Royal St George’s Golf Club
16: JCB Golf and Country Club
23: Bearwood Lakes
30: The Shire, London
GRAND FINAL
August 6: The Berkshire Golf Club
7: Wentworth Golf Club (West Course)

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Winning Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew (left) and 1999 Open Champion Paul Lawrie (right) with Scottish Golf club buisness manager Iain Evans, during the Zoom call

MORE than 300 people from across Scotland came together for an exclusive Zoom panel call with Major champions Paul Lawrie and Catriona Matthew.

Both Paul and Catriona contributed to discussions on a number of topics including junior golf in Scotland – their individual career highlights – and how they are adapting to challenges posed by the current COVID-19 outbreak.

Matthew, the only Scottish woman to ever win a Major after victory at the 2009 Ricoh Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham, went on to lead Europe to victory at the Solheim Cup in September.

Meanwhile Lawrie, who survived the carnage on the last day of the 1999 Open at Carnoustie to come from 10 shots back to lift the Claret Jug, was named as Europe’s captain the Junior Ryder Cup in Wisconsin, in September – if the biennial clash against the USA gets the go-ahead.

The 30-minute call was the second in a series of events being delivered by the governing body to help club managers and golfers in dealing with the disruption facing the golf industry during the coronavirus pandemic.

The conversation, which can be watched back in full online here, was another huge success with a retention rate of 96 per cent, according to the organiser.

Iain Evans, who is Scttish Golf’s club business manager, said: “I would like to say a massive thank-you to our excellent panellists, Paul and Catriona for providing all of our attendees with fascinating insight into their illustrious careers and all things golf in Scotland.

“We know that these are uncertain and challenging times for everyone involved in our great game and it was a pleasure to be able to bring two of Scotland’s greats together to answer questions from golf club managers and golfers across Scotland.

“Our Zoom panel calls are providing some really valuable insights and we are delighted we can continue to embrace digital technology during this period to bring people from across our golfing community together.”

Details of the next Zoom panel call will be issued to all affiliated golf club in the coming days.

A Scottish Golf spokesman said: “We look forward to welcoming everyone online again soon.”

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Last year’s award winner Jack Percival from Chipstead Golf Club – who will scoop the 2020 prize when the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition is held in Harrogate from January 21-23?

FROM England’s south coast to the Perthshire hills, the finalists of the BIGGA Awards 2020 have once again shown what talented and passionate greenkeeping teams can achieve, when supported by the clubs where they work.

The BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition will be taking place once again at the Harrogate Convention Centre later this month.

More than 5,000 turf managers, greenkeepers, golf club owners and decision makers are expected to take part in the industry’s premier exhibition and educational programme.

The finalists of the BIGGA Awards 2020 are:–

Championship Greenkeeping Performance of the Year sponsored by Rigby Taylor

• Craig Haldane and his team at Gleneagles Hotel and Golf Courses for hosting the 2019 Solheim Cup in September.
• Grant Peters and his team at Parkstone Golf Club for hosting the European Ladies Amateur Championship, at the Dorset Club, in July
• Graham Brumpton and his team at Ipswich Golf Club (Purdis Heath) for hosting the 2019 English Women’s Strokeplay, in Suffolk.

Greenkeeping Project of the Year sponsored by Baroness and Kubota

• Darren Anderson and his team at Cheshire’s Bromborough Golf Club
• Master Greenkeeper Andrew Kerr and his team at Surrey’s Surbiton Golf Club
• Robert George and his team at Essex’s Thorndon Park Golf Club.

The winner of the Outstanding Contribution of the Year – sponsored by Jacobsen – will be revealed on the night.

One of the highlights each year is the BIGGA Welcome Celebration, sponsored for the first time in 2020 by Campey Turf Care Systems.

Taking place on the opening night of BTME – and hosted by respected journalist and golf enthusiast Naga Munchetty – the Welcome Celebration will reveal the winners of the prestigiouJs BIGGA Awards 2020.

Surrey greenkeeper Jack Percival was awarded the Outstanding Contribution of the Year for his work helping homeless in his borough.

Jack’s homeless initiative scoops prize at 2019 BIGGA Awards show

BIGGA chief executive Jim Croxton said: “Last year’s refreshed BIGGA Awards were an incredible success, with the story of our member Jack Percival – and his efforts to support the homeless in his home town – leading to a standing ovation, and bringing a fitting end to the Welcome Celebration.

“We thought it may be a tough act to follow. But I’m delighted that throughout the past year BIGGA members have once again redefined what it’s possible to achieve out on the course – and what it means to be part of the greenkeeping community.

“The nominations we received this year were of an incredibly high standard, and it’s testament to everyone who got involved that the judges had such a difficult decision in determining the finalists.

“Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate a BIGGA member or team of greenkeepers this year.

“I look forward to seeing each of the finalists at the BIGGA Welcome Celebration, in Harrogate, for what promises to be a fantastic opening to our annual exhibition.”

BTME runs from Tuesday, January 21 to Thursday, January 23, with more than 150 exhibitors taking part.

There will be a range of new initiatives, such as the STRI Innovation Zone and the Green Room Podcast Live stage.

This year saw a record number of nominations, with teams recognised for their efforts by golf club managers, championship hosts and even representatives of the professional golf tours, in addition to their fellow BIGGA members.

•The BTME smartphone app is the comprehensive guide to the exhibition and is available to download now through the Apple Store and Google Play.

You can register online now for BTME or head to www.btme.org.uk for more information.

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Norway’s Suzann Pettersen gives her son Herman a kiss after holing the winning putt in the Solheim Cup, before announcing her retirement at the age of 38. Picture by MARK RUNNACLES

SOLHEIM Cup winner Suzann Pettersen announced she is to retire for competitive golf after a sparkling professional career spanning two decades.

Moments after holing the birdie putt that secured Europe’s victory in the 16^th Solheim Cup, the 38-year-old Norwegian, confirmed she would be hanging up her clubs with immediate effect.

“That’s it, I’m done,” she said. “I’m closing it down tomorrow.

“I think it’s the perfect closure, there’s no better way to end my professional career. I never thought I was going to be here four months ago until I met Beany (Catriona Matthew).

“So, to end it this way, that’s very special,” said the two-time Major winer.

Pettersen bows out of professional golf having won 15 LPGA tour titles and seven on the Ladies European Tour.

This year marked her ninth appearance in the Solheim Cup, stretching back to 2002, during which she won 18 matches, tied third on the all-time European list alongside Matthew – behind only Laura Davies and Annika Sorenstam.

Her most successful year came in 2013 when she won five tournaments around the world and posted an additional 11 top-10 finishes. She ended the year as World No. 2, just behind Inbee Park.

Suzann arrived at Gleneagles as one of Matthew’s captain’s picks having played just twice this season following the birth of her son, Herman, last September.

But that didn’t stop her combining with Anne Van Dam to beat Danielle Kang 4&2 before delivering the winning point against Marina Alex in the singles.

“It didn’t surprise me when Suzann holed that putt,” said US captain Juli Inkster. “It was great. I mean, I knew she knew the cup was on the line.

“And to go ahead and roll that putt in, that’s impressive. That’s why she’s Suzann,” added Inkster, who lost as captain for the first time in three Solheim Cups, having competed in nine as a player.

Pettersen also received a glowing tribute from teammate Anna Nordqvist.

“I think I’m speaking for everyone on this team,” Nordqvist said. “Suzann has been a big role model for all of those the last couple of years, more than that.

“I remember my first Solheim Cup in 2009, I got to play with a lot of my idols growing up.

“It was Laura Davies, Helen Alfredsson, it was Beany, it was Mimmi Hjorth and Suzann Pettersen.

“I got paired with Suzann in my second match and it was really cool. It was definitely one of the best highlights of my career.

“She’s going to be missed,” Nordqvist added. “She’s a rock star. She’s such a great character and a big role model for all of us.”

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Norway’s Suzann Pettersen (left) and Holland’s Anne Van Dam walk off the seventh green during Friday afternoon foursomes against the USA. Picture by MATTHEW LEWIS

EUROPE will take a narrow one point lead into the second day of the 16^th Solheim Cup at the PGA Centenary course at Gleneagles.

The home team are 4½-3½ in front heading into the second series of foursomes and fourballs.

But it is the American team who have momentum on their side after a dramatic finish to the day in which they came from behind to salvage halves in both of the last two fourball matches.

The home side took a slender 2½-1½ lead into the fourballs. But it disappeared when in the second match on the course Ally McDonald and Angel Yin – both left out of the morning foursomes – took just 13 holes to beat Swedish duo Anna Nordqvist and Caroline Hedwall 7&5.

The Americans good off to a fast start with birdies at the first three holes and they also birdied the fifth, ninth, 10th and 11th to increase that advantage to seven.

Nordqvist did get one hole back with a birdie at the 12^th before McDonald, a late replacement for the injured Stacy Lewis, closed out the match with a par on the next.

The 7&5 score tied the record for the biggest margin of victory in a Solheim Cup fourball, set by one of this year’s US vice-captains – Pat Hurst – and her partner Rosie Jones in their match against Lisa Hall and Sophie Gustafson, at Muirfield Village, in 1998.

“That was the year I was born,” laughed a delighted Yin. “I would say we’re ham and eggs.

“We’ve always got each other’s back, no matter what, and we work together as a team, communicate well. We’re just such a good pairing.”

Her partner McDonald added: “When Juli called me in to replace Stacy, I knew it could go either way, so to be able to go into my first match and get a point for the US means a lot.”

The USA won the first fourball series 4-0 two years ago in Iowa.

But any hopes they had of replicating that feat disappeared when the veteran Swede, Suzann Pettersen, and the rookie Dutchwoman, Anne Van Dam, beat Danielle Kang and Lizette Salas 4&2.

It was a significant win for Pettersen because it was her ninth Solheim Cup fourball victory, tying the European record, held by Laura Davies.

“I just want to say I had the best partner in the world,” said the Norwegian.

“I told you we don’t have any rookie on the team. I mean, this girl, I think she’s the best golfer I’ve ever seen on the women’s side. Today, she was an absolute rock star.”

Van Dam added: “Walking through that tunnel, especially to play with Suzann, who has been my idol growing up, for her to say, ‘Let’s enjoy this,’ that is what I was going to do.

“I was just hitting it solid from the beginning. It is not an easy golf course.

“Even from the tee you have to hit it in the fairway. If I hit it in the rough I lose my advantage a little bit from the tee, but it was great.

“I’m happy I played well and I was happy and comfortable around Suzann.”

At that stage, the Europeans were one point clear of the Americans.

And that is how it remained when Lexi Thompson holed a curling 25-foot birdie putt across the last green to secure a halve for her and partner Jessica Korda against Bronte Law and Carlota Ciganda.

Then, in the final match, and with the sun starting to set at the end of a long but riveting day, the Europeans, Charley Hull and Azahara Munoz, also lost the last to a birdie to tie their match with Nelly Korda and Brittany Altomare.

The Europeans had been four up with five to play. This time it was rookie Altomare who did the damage, also holing out from long range to keep her side within one point of their rivals.

“Those two half points at the end of the day were huge,” said US captain Juli Inkster.

European captain, Catriona Matthew at the 10th tee during Friday morning foursomes. Picture by MARK RUNNACLES

“For two rookies (Nelly Korda and Altomare) to be four down with five holes left and come back and tie, you can’t teach that.

“It’s just in your belly. I’m just so impressed with them. It was a great end to the day.”

European captain Catriona Matthew said: “Obviously, we got off to a great start in the foursomes. Our objective was to win every session.

“The finish wasn’t what we were looking for, everyone’s a little disappointed with that, but I think you have to take the positives.

“We’re leading. We’re a point up. If we’re leading at the end of each day, that would be great.”

Matthew sticks with three pairings

CATRIONA MATTHEW has named three unchanged pairs for the second series of Solheim Cup foursomes.

The Scot brings back Georgia Hall and Celine Boutier and Charlie Hull and Azahara Munoz after both pairs won on the first morning.

Carlota Ciganda and Bronte Law also return after halving their first foursomes match. The newcomers are Anna Nordqvist and Anne Van Dam.

The American captain Juli Inkster has rung the changes in an effort to make up the 4½-3½ overnight deficit.

She has given a second foursomes start to sisters Jessica and Nelly Korda who won on the first morning and also Morgan Pressel and Marina Alex who supplied a half point against Ciganda and Law.

The new American pairings are Lizette Salas and Ally McDonald and Danielle Kang and Megan Khang.

The first match on the course at 8.10am will feature Nordqvist and Van Dam against Pressel and Alex.

They are followed by Hall and Boutier against Salas and McDonald at 8.22am, Hull and Munoz against Kang and Khang at 8.34am and Ciganda and Law against the Korda sisters at 8.46am.

For live scoring from day two click here.

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European fans at a practice round. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

THE Ladies European Tour’s TRISTAN JONES and PHIL INGLIS have been capturing the best shots from the official practice days at the 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles… with the players and the crowds making a very colourful spectacle even before a ball has even been struck…

We will be bringing you the best action from Scotland over all three days…

KORDA SISTERS SET TO MAKE SOLHEIM CUP HISTORY

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Suzann Pettersen has lost her voice in the build up to the Solheim Cup but spoke very highly of European captain Catriona Matthew. Picture by PHIL INGLIS

SUZANN Pettersen has never been afraid to speak her mind but this week she may have to let her clubs do the talking after losing her voice in the lead up to match.

“My golf game is in great shape,” Pettersen croaked while attending a press conference ahead of Thursday’s opening ceremony. “But my voice is gone. This is as good as it gets.”

Under the circumstances, the veteran Norwegian went on to do a good job explaining how the atmosphere in the European camp differed from her eight previous appearances in the Solheim Cup.

“I guess every team has different players,” Suzann said. “I just think these new youngsters on the European team have a lot of character. Their personalities are different but go (gel) together so that’s very good.

There was also agreement among the European players that new captain Catriona Matthew had a lot to do with the high spirits within the camp.

“With Beany (Matthew) what you see is what you get,” said Pettersen. “She’s as natural as you could be. She’s as relaxed as she looks and she’s confident about what’s she’s doing.

“If I’d been in her shoes, I don’t know if I would have done anything different from her so far. Over the last two years, as I’ve got to know her a little better, I’ve realised she’s as calm as it gets.”

Jodi Ewart-Shadoff is finally playing pain-free having been given a captain’s pick.
Picture by MATTHEW LEWIS

That view was shared by Swede Anna Nordqvist, Germany’s Caroline Masson and England’s Jodi Ewart-Shadoff.

“I think Catriona is a big part of it,” said Nordqvist who is making her sixth Solheim Cup appearance at Gleneagles.

“She’s very relaxed, very experienced, and she’s so easy going. I think that kind of transfers to the team.

“She’s made things very easy for us this week, and I feel she’s putting a lot of thought into our schedules and the way she’s set everything up.

“Of all the teams I’ve been on, I feel like this is the closest everyone’s been and the best team spirit we’ve ever had.”

“I also think that everybody feels we have the best 12 players in Europe on this team, which is great.

Nordqvist added: I think it’s crucial that everybody in the team feels they’re in the right spot here. Nobody feels they have to hide, and I think that’s huge.

“I also think Catriona has done a great job being very open and honest, communicating really well with everybody.

“Everybody knows their role and where they stand. It gives the players a lot of a lot of confidence, knowing where they stand.”

The last word goes to Ewart-Shadoff, who has recently had keyhole surgery and is free of the back pain that plagued her for much of the earlier part of the season.

“She’s very approachable,” Jodi said. “Obviously, Catriona has played a lot of Solheim Cups, so she knows what it’s all about and she’s very experienced in putting pairings together.

“She knows what she’s doing. I’m just personally very honoured to play on her team.”

Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist believes Catriona Matthew’s calm manner has made for a great atmosphere in the teamroom. Picture by PHIL INGLIS

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American Jessica and Nelly Korda (right) will become the first sisters to play together in a foursomes match whenthe Solheim Cup gets underway at Gleneagles on Friday morning. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

SISTERS Jessica and Nelly Korda will create a slice of Solheim Cup history when they play together in the Friday Foursomes over the PGA Centenary course at Gleneagles.

Annika and Charlotta Sorenstam were the first sisters to be named together on a Solheim Cup team in 1998 – but they did not play alongside each other in either the foursomes or fourballs.

So the American sister will be breaking new ground at 8.34am when they set off in the third foursomes match against Germany’s Caroline Masson and Yorkshire’s LPGA winner Jodi Ewart-Shadoff.

The honour of hitting the first shot will go to America’s Morgan Pressel, who plays alongside Marina Alex in the first foursome at 8.10am, against Spain’s Carlota Ciganda and Yorkshire’s Bronte Law.

Dorset’s Georgia Hall and Celine Boutier make up the second European pairing at 8.22am against Lexi Thompson and Brittany Altomare, while the last match on the course at 8.46am will feature Woburn’s Charley Hull and Spaniard Azahara Munoz against Meghan Kang and Annie Park.

US captain Juli Inkster admitted the Korda sisters had requested to play together.

“You know, they actually asked me,” Inkster said. “I wasn’t too keen on it. I don’t know. But the more I thought about it, I thought it would be stupid not to play them.

“I mean, it is not often you get two sisters on one team. They should have the right to play together.

“And Jessica said, ‘why don’t you see how we play in the Dow together, if we kill each other then maybe not put us together’. So that was our kind of thinking.”

European captain Catriona Matthew decided to put rookie Bronte Law out in the first group because she has been champing at the bit to get started ever since the start of the week.

“That was my kind of reason for putting her out early and Celine Boutier in the second group. I just felt the longer they have to hang around and wait, they more nervous they were going to get.

“It’s obviously important to get off to a good start,” the Scot, who has played in nine Solheim Cups, added.

“Being the home side, I think to get off to a good start would really get the crowd into it. So, I think for us, we’re really going to go out there and try and get the crowd in and get some blue on the board early on.

“We actually didn’t ponder the parings too much,” said Matthew.

“We have a couple of ones out there for the afternoon that just kind of fitted nicely, and those were the ones we wanted, to hopefully try and play everyone the first day.

“So, they were just kind of natural pairings, to be honest.”

To follow all the action online click here.

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THE Golf Foundation is celebrating girls’ golf in style during this week’s Solheim Cup at Gleneagles, while supporting the iconic match between Europe and the USA, which starts on Friday.

For the whole week, the Golf Foundation team will be highlighting the positive steps taken by its supporters to grow the game for girls.

It will also ask what more can be done to promote the playing, health and social benefits of the sport for girls.

The charity is staging a trio of special events in support of the Solheim Cup and Team Europe.

Teeing-off the week of international celebrations around the Gleneagles area, Scotland’s GolfSixes League Final was held at nearby Muckhart Golf Club, with 16 teams of boys and girls from across Scotland.

GolfSixes League is a Golf Foundation programme involving 260 golf clubs and 3,000 youngsters in England, Scotland and Wales – around 33 per cent of players are girls.

Scottish Golf has made GolfSixes League such a success that with additional support from the 2019 Solheim Cup Development Group, the number of mixed golf club teams taking part will increase from 67 this year, to 100 in 2020.

Golf was also celebrated in a unique ‘Solheim Cup takeover’, on Sunday as 59 girls from clubs in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire played GolfSixes at Elsham Golf Club.

Older girls have been specially trained to support the youngsters, helping to increase their leadership experience while backed throughout by adult volunteers.

The day was all about learning and fun, with plenty of other attractions including face-painting, a fun photo booth, activity stands, a pick ’n’ mix stall and plenty more.

A similar Solheim Cup themed day will end this special week on Sunday, September 15, on the final day of the biennial match which is the women’s equivalent of the Ryder Cup.

In this case, teams of girls from Essex, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Middlesex are invited to Golf World Stanstead for a GolfSixes League competition and fun activities including a “Mega Putt Challenge” for all the 50 girls invited.

Stacey Mitchell, who heads girls’ golf for the Golf Foundation, said: “These three GolfSixes League events will all be particularly special as they take place in a celebratory week for girls’ golf alongside the Solheim Cup.

“These matches, and our work that we will be promoting throughout the week on social media, serve to highlight how all the activity of the Golf Foundation, from school and community golf to regular play in golf clubs, has a stronger focus on girls than ever before.

“The charity is proactively working to encourage more girls to ‘Start, Learn and Stay’ in golf and love the sport.

“From offering leadership training to empower more girls as leaders, to working with our ambassadors Meghan MacLaren and Felicity Johnson to promote girls’ golf nationally, we want to continue to make a positive difference going forwards.

“From ensuring that school golf teams, and club GolfSixes League teams, pick girls alongside the boys, and funding PGA Professionals at our junior friendly clubs to coach more girls, to working with Brownies and Guide groups, we are seeking to innovate to build momentum.

“We also recognise a great deal more needs to be done to grow participation and this week of activity will highlight this.”

The Golf Foundation’s ‘HSBC Golf Roots’ programme has created positive results in the last year with regard to girls’ participation. These include:

•A 48 per cent increase in the number of girls visiting a golf club

•The generation of 3,422 new affiliated golf club junior members including 23 per cent girls

•Thirty-three per cent of GolfSixes League players have been girls, with two girls-only leagues in Lincolnshire and Essex

•The Foundation trained more than 200 new Girls Golf Rocks ambassadors with England Golf, while in schools, the charity requests 50 per cent of all school teams are girls for games they play.

The Golf Foundation is following closely its stated pledge as a signatory of The R&A Women in Golf Charter.

The R&A is the charity’s strongest supporter as the two bodies seek to inspire more youngsters into playing golf and to increase the retention of juniors within the sport to boost membership at clubs.

For the week ahead now, the foundation’s team looks forward to supporting the Ladies European Tour and its players throughout the Solheim Cup.

The charity will also be asking its supporters and others in golf to share positive stories about encouraging more girls to enjoy the benefits of golf.

#SolheimCupCelebration and #GrowingGirlsGolf will be among the hashtags deployed on social media in what should be an exciting week for all involved, said a Golf Foundation spokesman.

Girls from Lincolnshire and Yorkshire will play in special GolfSixes League day at Elsham Golf Club this weekend to mark the Solheim Cup between Europe and the USA at Gleneagles. Picture by LEADERBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY

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