With this being February and a very romantic Valentine’s Day on the calendar, our thoughts may drift to: “How can we include golf and romance?” and “Should we?”

Most men, whether they have played golf before or not, believe that all they have to do is pick up a club and start hitting the [...]]]> BY Rosemary Johnson

With this being February and a very romantic Valentine’s Day on the calendar, our thoughts may drift to: “How can we include golf and romance?” and “Should we?”

Most men, whether they have played golf before or not, believe that all they have to do is pick up a club and start hitting the ball. But, he will be very exasperated if he finds that he has no control of the ball or where it will land. To have a great time together, learn more about his game.

The first thing to consider is the level of play of your boyfriend. Does he play occasionally or often? Is he competitive or does he play for enjoyment? Is this the first time for “couples golf”?

If you’ve never played together, then the first thing is to take a “test drive.” There are many options for any playing skill. If he is just beginning to play, or at a beginners level, start your golf experience with a trip to the driving range. Many golf courses and ranges offer group lessons for couples as well as singles. Or, if you want a private lesson, you can work with the golf professional to work with the two of you.

After hitting a few balls on the range and making a few putts on the green, you can head to the 19th hole to chill out or to celebrate a great experience.

To answer the question as to “whether you should take your boyfriend to the golf course,” we have determined that the two of you have a great time together, enjoy vacationing together, and that your golf complements each other.

Both of you are competitive, play for fun, or a balance that works for the two of you. Whether your skill level is the same or not, you can still have fun.

My husband plays from the tips. I play from the forward tees. He’s a scratch golfer while I am a high handicapper. But, we get to the green at about the same time. I don’t dawdle around, and maybe he will walk from his ball to mine along the way. At the end of the day, and what has been said after many golf scrambles of people with varying golf abilities, what anyone remembers is “whether they had fun playing with that person or not.”

The Sweet Spot
Select a golf resort that matches what the two of you like to do. Start with a scrumptious breakfast with a breathtaking view. Then, take off for your tee time on the course that is the most “women friendly” course. Next, you can relax with strawberries and chocolate before heading for the spa and the couples massage. To end the day, there’s fine dining waiting for you with a twirl on the dance floor, or a juicy hamburger special at the grill and a long walk on the beach at sunset.

There are a large variety of choices and amenities at a golf resort without making each day a “groundhog day.” If the resort doesn’t have a packaged deal, they will be more than happy to build a golf package around your schedule and accommodation preferences.

If it turns out that your boyfriend does not want to play golf, all is not lost. Check out the resort golf schedule and see if there are golf events that you can join. He can jog, fish, or play tennis while you are on the course. Afterward, you can get together for dinner, a couples spa experience, dancing or whatever you can dream up.

An alternative to a long getaway is to design your own “Nine, Dine and Unwind.” Book a tee time for the two of you and a stop at the 19th hole, or select a course that offers a round of golf with dining afterward.

As a last resort, book a “Girls Golf Getaway.”

These are our some suggested top rated resorts:

Kiawah Island Golf Resort, SC – www.kiawahresort.com – First Choice Course: Osprey Point; Other: Ocean Course, Turtle Point, Oak Point, Cougar Point

Sea Island Golf Club, GA – www.seaisland.com – First Choice Course: Seaside Course – Other: Retreat Course, Plantation

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, OR - www.bandondunesgolf.com – First Choice Course: Bandon Dunes – Other: Bandon Trails, Pacific Dunes, Old MacDonald

Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club, NC – www.pineneedles-midpines.com – First Choice Course: Pine Needles – Other: Mid-Pines

Ginn Reunion Resort, FL – www.ginnreunionresort.com – First Choice Course: Legacy Course – Other: The Tradition, Independence

Reynolds Plantation, GA – www.reynoldsplantation.com – First Choice Course: The Oconee; Other: Plantation, The National, Great Waters, The Creek, Richland

Pinehurst Resort, NC – www.pinehurst.com – First Choice Course: No. 8 – Other: No. 2, Nos. 1-7

Following the successful pilot launch of TEE IT FORWARD in July 2011, The PGA and USGA are encouraging golfers to continue to tee it forward and [...]]]> PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The PGA of America (PGA) and United States Golf Association (USGA) want golfers to have more fun by “teeing it forward” all year long.

Following the successful pilot launch of TEE IT FORWARD in July 2011, The PGA and USGA are encouraging golfers to continue to tee it forward and play from distances that match their playing skills. More than 1,900 facilities registered in 2011 with an average of 123 golfers per facility (nearly 237,000 nationwide) playing from forward tees during the promotional period. Additionally, a survey of more than 3,000 consumers who experienced the program showed that 70 percent found their round of golf more enjoyable and more than 90 percent said they would recommend TEE IT FORWARD to a friend. The survey also found nearly 50 percent of respondents saying the program helped them play faster.

“These golfers told us that they found golf more enjoyable by playing courses at shorter lengths than usual. At the end of the day, that’s what we want…golfers to have more fun, which, in turn, hopefully means they will play more and stay in the game,” said PGA of America President Allen Wronowski. “This initiative also generated incredible buzz through traditional and social media, as well as at golf facilities across the country.”

The PGA partnered with the USGA to support TEE IT FORWARD in 2011 and both organizations are once again teaming up to make this a year-round promotion.

“Simply put, TEE IT FORWARD can make golf much more fun for millions of people, while contributing to the growth of the game,” said Jim Hyler, USGA President. “We are encouraged by the results of our pilot, and believe this new approach to the game is really beginning to catch on with golfers of all skill levels.”

TEE IT FORWARD was brought to the forefront by industry veteran Barney Adams, retired founder of Adams Golf. Adams was a strong advocate and ambassador for TEE IT FORWARD in 2011 and will continue in that role.

“I’ve been around the game for more than 30 years and continue to be amazed as golfers make it much harder than it should be by playing golf courses at distances that don’t come close to matching their abilities,” said Adams. “By playing from forward tees, amateur golfers have the chance to play the course at the same relative distance as a touring professional would over 18 holes. We need golfers to be hitting eight-irons and wedges into par fours like the pros…not fairway woods.”

While it was highlighted during a specific time period in 2011, TEE IT FORWARD is now being promoted as a year-round initiative. Courses can set up additional tees to provide golfers with more options or simply encourage golfers to use existing forward tees to potentially have a more enjoyable experience on the course.

The PGA and USGA will be developing educational and promotional materials to be distributed to golf facilities across the country. World Golf Hall of Fame member Jack Nicklaus, PGA TOUR star Dustin Johnson and LPGA star Paula Creamer have been utilized on materials to carry the TEE IT FORWARD message. Both organizations will also leverage PSA and other promotional opportunities around their respective championships to support the initiative.

For more information, visit PlayGolfAmerica.com/TEEITFORWARD.

On a rainy, windy, typical Irish autumn day, interrupted three times by weather related delays, the European team found a way to regain the Solheim Cup for the first time since winning in Barseback, Sweden in 2003.  The finale was unfortunately affected adversely by the US [...]]]>

Worth Blackwelder and Juli Inkster 2009 Ricoh British Open

On a rainy, windy, typical Irish autumn day, interrupted three times by weather related delays, the European team found a way to regain the Solheim Cup for the first time since winning in Barseback, Sweden in 2003.  The finale was unfortunately affected adversely by the US team in an eleventh hour withdrawal by their top player and anchor Cristie Kerr due to a wrist injury. Apparently playing  two days of two matches a day on an already tender wrist was too much, and she was unable to hold the club to compete prior to the singles matches Sunday morning.  Cristie had expressed throughout day one and two that her wrist was fine to continue to play every match on, and Captain Rosie Jones had to take her word for it, and played her in all four matches where Kerr was 2-1-1. Having to give the Euros a point before the singles matches began on Sunday proved to be a bit much to overcome.

Paula Creamer was first out of the gate for the US team in singles play and ran into a buzz saw that saw Catriona Matthew finish her off in a 6-5 rout.  This would be Creamer’s first ever singles loss.  In the second match Stacy Lewis hung tough with Sofie Gusfaston only to fall at the end, 2 down,  and suddenly the US was down three points early. Pressel came back from 2 down to beat  Norqvist 2 up,  Laura Davies took advantage of a few short putt misses by Inkster, but bogied the final hole and Inkster gets an all square half point in her final Solheim match.  Inkster hits one of the best long (40 yard) uphill bunker shots I have ever seen to inches on the final hole for par.

The US rookie and captain’s pick Vicki Hurst pulls an upset over Mel Reid winning 2 up, and the Euro rookie Christel Boeljon takes down Lincicome 2 down. Lincicome never seemed confident the entire week.  Brittany Lang put a thrashing on rookie Sandra Gal winning 6 up, followed by another big win by Christina Kim over Hjorth 4 up.  At this point in the singles, it was looking as if the US would take the cup again, based on how other matches were evolving.   Suzann Pettersen birdies the last 3 holes to take down Michelle Wie 1 up, in a match that looked as if the US would win.  This was a key turning point as in the match behind it, Ryann O’Toole had been ahead in her match with Hedwall all day, but bogeys 17 and 18 and only gains a half instead of the win. Those two simultaneous events took the US Team down, as Angela Stanford loses to Aza Munoz 1 down in the final match after the finish had been decided.

I wish to congratulate the European Team, and know the US team feels down today.  I have been a part of five of the past six Solheim Cups as a caddy for Pepper, Kerr, and Inkster.  Every player puts their heart and soul into it, as does each caddy. I had originally planned to grade each player, and submit report cards based on their play over the three days.  I have decided to forgo that idea, as I read the report card of a GOLF CHANNEL writer last night, and read a few dozen comments regarding his perceived grades.  It can get ugly, and a report card on one’s play for their country can be cruel.

I will say that I praise Rosie Jones for her two gutsy captain’s picks, O’Toole and Hurst who gained 4 of 13 points for our US squad. I will give Morgan Pressel the MVP award for finishing 4-0-0, and picking up 4 points on her own.  Creamer gave a good showing, but was used in all four team matches and ran out of gas in the singles. To win we needed stronger play from Lewis and Stanford, and Inkster was not in form as well.  Brittany Lang did not play well on team matches with Inkster and Michelle Wie still proves to be an under achiever in professional golf, as she leaves a mark of 1-3 in her matches this week.

On the European side, praise goes to Alison Nicholas for her choices in the team battles.  Euro MVP goes to Sofie Gusfaston (4-0-0).  Rookie Hedwall (2-1-1) was a big player on this team as well.  Co MVP goes to Suzann Pettersen (3-1-0) and Catriona Matthew (2-0-2).  These four were the ammunition the Euros took to battle and won with. Davies had one good stretch of holes in the Saturday team matches, but otherwise played mediocre.  Munoz was up and down, as was Boeljon, but they won crucial singles points. Disappointing play from the Euro team was witnessed by Nordqvist (2-2-0), Gal (0-2-1), Reid (1-3-0), and Stupples (1-2-0) who only won a forfeit point due to Kerr’s withdrawal.

There has been much discussion of the lack of relevance of this competition between the US and the Europeans since the present professional golf world is so inundated by Asian players.  My feeling is this competition mirrors the Ryder Cup and it should continue to be held every two seasons as it has been.  It is becoming a tradition now after 20 years of play.  It is exciting golf, a very riveting atmosphere. To trash this Solheim Cup because of Asian influx into ladies golf would be a  big mistake.  If the Asian players wish to compete in a competition of this sort, it needs to be organized.  But to negate the importance of this event to US and European up and coming stars who have watched these matches, and dreamed to play in them would be a terrible thing.

BY: Worth Blackwelder

A View of a Tour Caddy

Friday Foursomes;

1)  Wie/ Kerr escaped with a 2 and 1 victory, mainly due to a holed bunker shot by Kerr on the ninth hole, and poor putting displays by the Euros and a bladed bunker shot over the green and into the pond on the seventeenth hole by [...]]]> A summary of day one Solheim Cup action:

Friday Foursomes;

1)  Wie/ Kerr escaped with a 2 and 1 victory, mainly due to a holed bunker shot by Kerr on the ninth hole, and poor putting displays by the Euros and a bladed bunker shot over the green and into the pond on the seventeenth hole by Nordqvist.  This was a match that was never dominated by either team.  Grades- Wie -C -minus, Kerr-B,  Hjorth-C, Norqvist-C minus.  Kerr was the player that pulled this match in for the US team.

2) Creamer/Lincicome 1 up over Stupples/Reid, The US team pulled out a miraculous victory here, due to the falter of the Euro Team on the last three holes. Grades:  Creamer A minus, Lincicome D, Stupples B minus, and Reid B minus. The key to this match was the failure of the Euro team to put this match away between holes 10 and 15 when Lincicome was in a real struggle all over the course.  Paula Creamer pulled out this match.

3) Matthew/Munoz 3 and 2 over Lewis/Stanford, The US team was totally outmatched here after the third hole, Munoz almost made no putts or this thing would have been done early. Then she chips in on number eleven to take any momentum away from the US Team.  Grades: Matthew A,  Munoz B minus,  Stanford B minus,  Lewis D,  Stacy Lewis was never in a rhythm all through the match, and steady Catriona Matthew dominated the flow.

Pettersen/Gusfaston 1 up over Inkster/Lang, a weird match that was decided by the solid putting of Gusfaston.  Inkster struggled  throughout with her approach shots missing to the right, Pettersen missed numerous shortish putts and Lang was suspect for most of the match.  Gusfaston was the anchor here for the Euros.  Grades: Inkster C minus,  Lang D,  Pettersen C,  Gusfaston B.  Pettersen solid tee to green but Gusfaston MVP of this match for Euros.

As a journalist who is not AT THE EVENT, I will not qualify myself to report or grade the “FOURBALL” matches of Friday, as I watched the telecast intently throughout the entire first session from 2:30 AM till 7 AM.  A man must get a little sleep therefore, it is not fair to judge only a part of what I witnessed in the second phase of play.

Day Two Pairings and predictions:

Foursomes:

Match One: Stanford/Lewis VS  Hedwall/Gusfaston -I will pick the Euro team based on length and Hedwall’s solid first day play. Lewis looked shaken throughout her rookie debut.  My pick Euros 3 and 2.

Match Two: Pressel/O’Toole VS Stupples-Boeljon – I will pick US Team to romp here based on facts that Stupples did not finish the deal in first match paired with Reid, when match was literally won and Boeljon was the only player of the 24 contestants not to compete on Friday. O’Toole is loving her three days on the big stage.  My pick US wins 5 and 4.

Match Three: Lang/Inkster VS Hjorth/Norqvist – I will pick US Team to win in a very close match due to Inkster’s moxie and experience and her desire to win another team match to boost her already awesome Solheim Cup resume.  Hjorth’s putting is very suspect, and Lang is ready to step up for Inkster in a close win here.  My pick US wins 1 up.

Match Four: Kerr/Creamer VS Matthew/Munoz – What a great match this will be.  Matthew has played flawlessly and will continue yet Kerr and Creamer will find a way to eke out this match due to experience and will overcome in another close battle.  Do not count out the Euros here but Kerr and Creamer’s putting prowess will prevail.  My pick: US wins 3 and 2.

If my picks are correct the US team will have a 6  1/2 to 5  1/2  lead going into the Saturday afternoon sessions of which the teams will not be announced until an hour prior to Saturday afternoon fourball matches. Stay tuned for tomorrow evening’s  capsule and my final summary on Sunday evening.

Worth Blackwelder

A View from a Tour Caddy Solheim Cup 2011

Cristie Kerr and Worth celebrate at The Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill

On August 21, after the conclusion of the Safeway LPGA event in Portland, Oregon, US captain Rosie Jones announced her two captain’s picks for the upcoming 2011 Solheim Cup to be held at the Killeen Castle outside of Dublin, [...]]]>

Cristie Kerr and Worth celebrate at The Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill

On August 21, after the conclusion of the Safeway LPGA event in Portland, Oregon, US captain Rosie Jones announced her two captain’s picks for the upcoming 2011 Solheim Cup to be held at the Killeen Castle outside of Dublin, Ireland. Yesterday, August 29,  the European captain, Alison Nicholas announced her four captain’s picks as well.

On the US team, young four year LPGA player Vicki Hurst was chosen, as well a young rookie Ryann O’Toole. These were choices made by captain Jones based on very recent good form by these two LPGA players as well as the lack of good form shown by several potential US  players in the mix for the two picks.  I think Rosie’s choices turned a few heads in the golf world.  I applaud her choices.  There has always been a feeling that has persisted that the visiting team should always choose veteran players as their captain’s picks.  Rosie used her intuitions and went against the grain of that theory.

The European choices of Azahara Munoz, Caroline Hedwall, Sandra Gal, and Karen Stupples did not come to me as quite a surprise as the US picks. I actually felt Stupples and Gal would get the nod, and feel the other two choices made by Nicholas are very solid choices based on their play in 2011.

I will break down the recent statistical play of these six players as follows:

US Team member Vicki Hurst – First Solheim appearance.  In 2010 made over $400,000 in earnings to finish 28th on money list, had 32/77 rounds under par with 2/24 top tens.  In 2011, Vicki has cooled off a bit, with her first top ten of 2011 coming at the Safeway LPGA the weekend Rosie Jones made her two picks.  In 2011 she has accumulated  17/45 rounds under par and is 38th on money list.  Vicki will be an asset with her  distance off the tee at Killeen Castle.  Fairways there for the most part are generous in width for her to take advantage of her length.

US Team member Ryann O’Toole – LPGA Rookie – First Solheim appearance.  In 2011 she has only played 8 LPGA events, with 2 top tens.  Ryann had a very nice showing in the  US Women’s Open in July  as well as winning an LPGA Futures event in Puerta Vallarta  in March.  Ryann, as is Vicki Hurst, is a bomber off the tee and will take advantage of her length at Killeen Castle.  Ryann is currently is 37 on 2011 money and has posted 10/27 rounds under par.  Assets: Young with no fear.

European Team member Azahara Munoz – First Solheim Appearance – 2010 LPGA rookie of the Year, winning over $400,000 in official money in that season, with 20/66 rounds in the 60’s!  She only posted 3 top tens in 2010, but had many other top 20 finishes. In 2011 Aza has only one top ten and is currently 40th on the 2011 money list.  Aza’s strengths are her accuracy and her short game. She is a very solid putter and that will be an asset in match play competition.

European Team member Caroline Hedwall - LET Rookie – First Solheim Appearance – She has 2 wins in 17 starts this season, and 2 additional top ten finishes.  Her stroke average of 71.49  is one of the top stroke averages on the Ladies European Tour.  She is currently number 3 on European Tour Order of Merit standings.  Caroline is a massive ball striker and will use her distance in all parts of her game against her US Team competition.

European Team member Sandra Gal - First Solheim Appearance – 4th season on LPGA Tour – Sandra has had a “coming out party” in 2011, gaining her first LPGA win at the LPGA KIA Classic in April and has amassed $389,000 in earnings this season to date, 20th on Money List.  Sandra has 3/13 top tens, and 17/43 rounds under par in 2011.  In 2010, Sandra, won $106,000 in official money and finished the season 67th on money list with 14/63 rounds under par.  Sandra is a very good putter and works very hard on her game.  She has come into her own this season and I would expect a solid Solheim experience from her.

European Team member Karen Stupples - Second Solheim Cup – her last appearance in 2005 at Crooked Stick in Carmel Indiana – Karen has had a solid 2011 season with only one top ten, a ninth place finish at the Avnet LPGA in Mobile,  Alabama in May, although Karen has 22/50 rounds under par this season and has $256,000 in earnings ranking  her 27th on the current Money List.  2010 was not as great a year for Karen, but nevertheless she finished in the top 50 on the 2010 money rankings.  Karen is the mother of four year old Logan, and wife of Bobby Inman, a solid player in his own right.  I caddied twelve events for Karen between the latter part of 2010 and into the first part of the 2011 season.  She is very long off the tee and leads the LPGA tour this season in eagles (10).  Karen will use her length off the tee and her veteran experience to aid the European Team.

Juli Inkster and Worth Blackwelder in intense discussion.

Worth Blackwelder
www.americasgolfteam.com
www.blackweldergolf.com

About the Solheim Cup:
The Solheim Cup is a biennial, trans-Atlantic team match-play competition featuring the best U.S.- born players from the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour and the best European members from the Ladies European Tour (LET). The U.S. Team leads the competition, 8-3, having won the 2009 Solheim Cup at Rich Harvest Farms, just outside of Chicago. In 2011, the Americans will be looking to defend their win and extend their winning streak to four consecutive victories.
Dates: September 23 – 25, 2011 Site: Killeen Castle, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland

Greetings to all LPGA, LET, and Futures Tour golf  fans!   Today I wish to re-introduce  my column “View of a Tour Caddy” to the “new blog” format of  LADIES GOLF JOURNEY.   My name is Worth Blackwelder, a one time columnist of the older version of the Central Kentucky [...]]]> By Worth Blackwelder, Tour Caddy

Greetings to all LPGA, LET, and Futures Tour golf  fans!   Today I wish to re-introduce  my column “View of a Tour Caddy” to the “new blog” format of  LADIES GOLF JOURNEY.   My name is Worth Blackwelder, a one time columnist of the older version of the Central Kentucky edition of this media.  The column was entitled, “View from a Tour Caddy”.  There were ten columns published in 2001, and 2002 with the last column being published shortly after the 2003 Solheim Cup event in Barseback, Sweden, where the Europeans took the cup.  At the time of my first journal entry, I had just been hired as a caddy by Dottie Pepper, initiating my return to the tour caddy life, at the 2000 Solheim Cup in Scotland at Loch Lomond, where the European Team prevailed.  I continued to caddy for Dottie throughout  the 2001 season,  accumulating 11 top-five finishes leading to a 6th place 2001 money list ranking.  Dottie required shoulder surgery in the off season prior to 2002, and played only a hand full of events that season prior to an early retirement , and is now in my humble opinion is Golf’s finest color commentator, working now solely for NBC sports, after nine years with the Golf Channel.  I looped a half season in 2002 for Korean Mi Hyun Kim, and the last half of 2002 for rookie Natalie Gulbis.

The Solheim Cup Round One

I had amassed 44 top tens in three seasons as Cristie’s caddy, including the five wins, but the opportunity to return to looping for Inkster seemed the right move at the time for me. In our third event back together in 2006, Juli won her 31st LPGA event in Phoenix. We worked together for four more seasons, through 2009, not being able throughout this time to bag another victory, despite her brilliant play. At the end of the 2009 season, my daughter, Mallory Blackwelder, had just turned professional, and was planning to play 2010 on the Ladies European Tour. Juli and I both knew it was time for me to move on and assist Mallory in Europe in 2010.  I had hoped to continue to work for Juli, and assist Mallory on off weeks, but Juli felt it was potentially going to take my focus away from her career.  As it turns out she was 100 percent correct. Now to focus on the current scene, the 2011 Solheim Cup.

The 2011 Solheim Cup US captain’s picks will be announced Sunday night, August 21, at the conclusion of the Safeway event in Portland, Oregon. The nine players locked in for the 2011 team by virtue of points accumulated for 24 months include, in order of merit; C. Kerr, M. Pressel, S. Lewis, A. Stanford, P.Creamer, M. Wie, B. Lincicome, B. Lang, and co-captain, 51 year old Juli Inkster!  Christina Kim holds a a very slim edge on the automatic 10th spot, with fast charging Katie Futcher only 17 points behind.  Also in the mix for two captains picks are Kristy McPherson, and Vicki Hurst.   Outside possibilities for a pick hinging on a very strong surge in Portland are veterans, Wendy Ward and Pat Hurst.

On the European side, the 2011 team in order of merit will include M. Reid (ENG), L. Davies (ENG), S. Pettersen (NOR), C. Boeljon (NETH), M. Hjoth (SWE),  A. Nordqvist (SWE), C. Matthew, (SCOT), and S. Gusfaston, (SWE). The Euros receive four captains picks,  In order of probability are Virginia Lagoutte-Clement (FR), Becky Brewerton, (WALES), and Diana Luna (ITALY).  The twelfth pick is a toss up with Caroline Masson (GER),  Sandra Gal (GER),and veteran Karen Stupples (ENG), all certain possibilities.

The 2011 Solheim Cup will be contested Sept. 23-25 at Killeen Castle in Ireland.  This venue has been the site of the last two Irish Ladies Open events in 2010, 2011, on the Ladies European Tour.  I caddied for my daughter Mallory in the 2010 event where she made the cut and cashed a moderate check.  The Killeen Castle venue is a very “Americanized” golf course design,  featuring wide fairway landing areas, with penal rough, and huge very undulating greens, requiring the golfer to hit specific to sections of the greens to have a legitimate birdie opportunities. While caddying for Mallory there last summer, I constructed and produced a very detailed “greens book”, which  may assist a caddy in ascertaining, from the fairway, the different high and low areas and slopes in the green that must be negotiated for success to get an approach shot close to the pin.  The greens book will also be very valuable while on the green, enhancing the evaluation of where subtle ridges and breaks can and will affect the roll of an impending putt.

While caddying for Mallory last month in the 2011 Women’s US Open at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, I donated my greens book to Rosie Jones, our Solheim Captain for her 2011 team to use in this years Cup.  I am certain Rosie has made copies for all of the players and caddies that will be members of this team to have in their pocket for review.  I have been a part of five Solheim Cup’s as a caddy, one for Pepper, two for Kerr, and two for Inkster, and though I will not be physically a part of this team, I wanted to have a small part of my caddy expertise included in this year’s competition.  This will keep me “in the mix” as I watch the telecast and see a caddy studying my compilation of work.

Mallory Blackwelder competed in 11 LET events in 2010, making the cut in 7, and having her best finish (tied for 15th) in Austria.  She gained invaluable experience playing the LET in 2010.  Mallory is competing solely on the LPGA Futures Tour this season, and currently is 27th on the money list, with a best finish  a tie for 2nd a month ago in Crown Point Indiana. I was able to caddy for her in that event.  Mallory has accumulated  two other top ten finishes this season on the Futures Tour, a tie for 5th, and a tie for 9th, in only 10 events. She missed the first two events due to the passing of her grandfather, and another event to do the filming of BIG BREAK IRELAND for The Golf Channel.  She has two more events to pull forward on the money list, with a win needed in one of those two to have an opportunity to gain an automatic 2012 LPGA Tour card,  If Mallory can gain three or more spots on the Futures Tour money rankings, she can avoid a trip to the second stage of LPGA Tour school and go right into the final stage to be held in December at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, FL.  Watch for Mallory in the upcoming telecasts of Golf Channel’s BIG BREAK IRELAND, filmed and competed at the K Club in Ireland last May.  The premier episode will be aired Tuesday, Sept. 20.

The 2012 Solheim Cup will most certainly be an exciting competition as it almost always comes down to the final day singles matches to determine the outcome. Even though being contested on foreign soil, I would give a slight edge to the US team.  My reasoning  for this perceived edge are, that the golf course is like an American style course, not a typical Irish links venue.  Also, the US team has a slight edge in experience, even though several members of our team are still “youngsters”.  Pressel, Wie, Lewis, Creamer, Lang, and Lincicome are still in their lower to mid twenties in age, but all have vast competitive experience, with only Lewis in that mix being a Solheim “rookie”.  Add the veteran experience of Kerr, Inkster, and Stanford and you can see the depth this team will bring to the table.  Juli Inkster holds the record of all time wins in the Solheim Cup for the US Team.

On the flip side of the coin, I feel the European squad will be anchored by the experience of veterans, Davies, Pettersen,  Hjorth, Matthew, and Gusfaston.  Those five have played many Solheim Cups with Davies being a part of every team!  Boeljon, Reid, and Nordqvist have limited to no experience in this type of competitive atmosphere, and although Brewerton has experienced these wars, Clement and Luna are somewhat inexperienced Solheim players as well.  The last European captain’s pick will be an important cog to this puzzle.  It would be difficult not to consider Stupples to bolster this teams experience level.  Her play since this season’s Kraft Nabisco event in April, where I caddied for her, has been very solid and consistent.  Sandra Gal won the LPGA Kia  Classic in April, dramatically holding on the beat Ji Yai Shin on the last hole, and has played well all season as well.  Sandra does not have the experience of Stupples in Solheim play though.  It would be her debut in Solheim competition.  Caroline Masson carried a large lead into the recent final  round of the Weetabix Women’s British Open at Carnoustie, only to fade to a final round 78.  Nevertheless, her play this season on the LET shows merit.

Worth Blackwelder and Juli Inkster