Ladies golf. What can I say. I’ve had the benefit of covering men’s golf and can honestly say that ladies golf is much, much more relaxed. It’s not just the players but the whole atmosphere. Covering the recent Solheim Cup in Killeen Castle, Ireland turned out to be very enjoyable, except for the downpours on Sunday, but you can’t cover golf and be dry all the time. Covering the Americans seemed as though I was covering cheerleaders, no disrespect to the them, being of that persuasion myself, American that is, they were all so colourful and cheerful.
The week started normal. Opening ceremony, bands playing the national anthems, people waving flags, but boy did it end with a fury. Everyone was giving the Americans the cup before it even started. With seven Americans ranked in the world’s top 20 and only two Europeans in the top 20, the U.S. on paper, looked to win. But as in life nothing is a sure bet. The first few days it looked good for both sides. Adrian Dennis and myself did the normal thing, you go this way, I’ll go that..see what we can get on these girls.
I quickly found out that walking inside the ropes was nothing like walking inside the ropes with men’s golf. As long as we gave the players room, we could really go just about anywhere..within reason of course. The girls didn’t mind and even had a chat with Morgan Pressel as she walked up the 18th during the last day (she was already finished). There were favorites (mine) to photograph, Christina Kim, Paula Creamer and Suzann Pettersen. Shouting, cheering and high fives. This wasn’t meant to last for the Americans.
The reserved Europeans were slowly starting to shout, cheer and high five on their own. One to watch was Suzann Pettersen of Norway. On the final day she was paired with Michelle Wie of the US. As the final day unfolded it still looked good for the Americans to retain the cup. Reaction was happening on the greens, but that wasn’t really the moment. As the ‘pack’ of photographers grew with each hole, it looked more and more likely it would come down to the last two maybe three matches.
Suzann Pettersen birdied the 16th, 17th and 18th holes to grab a 1-up victory. This left the Europeans with just needing one point. Caroline Hedwall, two down to American rookie Ryann O’Toole with two holes to play, won both to halve the hole, and Spain’s Azahara Munoz birdied the 17th hole to go 1 up on American Angela Stanford and win.
However, this is were is became a bit manic.. before Caroline Hedwell even putted on the 18th, Suzann Pettersen went daft and started to celebrate on the green, it wasn’t clear at this point to all of us that Spaniard Azahara Munoz clinched the vital point on the final match on the 17th, but photographers being photographers we all ran out on the green after her. As she turned, we turned, when she ran, we ran after her. The green was being trashed, photographers, officials, TV cameramen and players all pushing and running around…what great fun.
What a historic ending for Europe, being only a fourth Solheim Cup victory for the Europeans in 12 contests. “Superstars, all of them”, Alison Nicholas,Europe team captain.
Europes victorious Solheim Cup team hold a picture of Seve Ballesteros after beating the US in Ireland.
