Saturday
Aug222009
Next up, a Continental Cup?
Saturday, August 22, 2009 at 9:57PM
Writing from Sugar Grove, Ill.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Jerry Rich, owner of Rich Harvest Farms and the man who cajoled, prodded and finally convinced the LPGA to bring the 11th Solheim Cup Match to his backyard golf course, let the word go forth Saturday morning that he's open to another competition playing through.
It's called the Continental Cup, Rich said, explaining that it would be a three-team competition involving teams from the Americas, Europe and Africa, and Asia and Australia.
It's something that LPGA staffers haven't even heard of. That doesn't mean it doesn't exist, at least in the mind of Rich and executives from the LPGA, the hierarchy of which has been in turmoil in recent months. With the Solheim played in odd-numbered years, the Continental Cup would logically take place in even-numbered years.
Rich, speaking on WSCR-AM, was enthused about the concept. He didn't say as much, but, with galleries at Rich Harvest exceeding expectations, he's probably interested in hosting the inaugural tournament.
The concept, which some think should be applied to the Solheim Cup itself, would bring in many women's golf stars, including Mexico's Lorena Ocoha and the posse of South Koreans who have come to dominate the LPGA money list in recent years.
Missing in action
Laura Davies wasn't in the lineup for either session on Saturday, a first for the most experienced European player on hand. And she wasn't all that happy about it.
"You want to be involved in the action," she told Golf Channel.
She may have told Europe captain Alison Nicholas as well.
"Laura's a competitor," Nicholas said. "She wants to play. She didn't play in the afternoon because all the other players were just playing so well.
"It's not easy to leave anyone out. I've been in that position myself. But it's a team game."
How far is it?
The 10th hole is close to a mile from the 18th green, and seems even farther away, given the circuitous route of the course. At least one of the players has noticed.
"The 10th and 11th, they're out in the sticks," said Becky Brewerton, the Welsh representative. Who know they spoke that way across the pond?
Around Rich Harvest
A new traffic pattern improved bringing in the massive galleries on Saturday. A VIP parking lot was converted to general parking, an additional entrance was created for the main lot, and alternate routes were used, bringing Friday's maximum delay of two hours down to next to nothing, even though at least 30,000 people were on hand again. … Galleries proper have been announced as 25,000 on Friday, 27,000 on Saturday, and 90,000 including the practice days. That doesn't include support personnel. … Gates open at 8 a.m. Sunday, an hour earlier than originally scheduled.
– Tim Cronin
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Jerry Rich, owner of Rich Harvest Farms and the man who cajoled, prodded and finally convinced the LPGA to bring the 11th Solheim Cup Match to his backyard golf course, let the word go forth Saturday morning that he's open to another competition playing through.
It's called the Continental Cup, Rich said, explaining that it would be a three-team competition involving teams from the Americas, Europe and Africa, and Asia and Australia.
It's something that LPGA staffers haven't even heard of. That doesn't mean it doesn't exist, at least in the mind of Rich and executives from the LPGA, the hierarchy of which has been in turmoil in recent months. With the Solheim played in odd-numbered years, the Continental Cup would logically take place in even-numbered years.
Rich, speaking on WSCR-AM, was enthused about the concept. He didn't say as much, but, with galleries at Rich Harvest exceeding expectations, he's probably interested in hosting the inaugural tournament.
The concept, which some think should be applied to the Solheim Cup itself, would bring in many women's golf stars, including Mexico's Lorena Ocoha and the posse of South Koreans who have come to dominate the LPGA money list in recent years.
Missing in action
Laura Davies wasn't in the lineup for either session on Saturday, a first for the most experienced European player on hand. And she wasn't all that happy about it.
"You want to be involved in the action," she told Golf Channel.
She may have told Europe captain Alison Nicholas as well.
"Laura's a competitor," Nicholas said. "She wants to play. She didn't play in the afternoon because all the other players were just playing so well.
"It's not easy to leave anyone out. I've been in that position myself. But it's a team game."
How far is it?
The 10th hole is close to a mile from the 18th green, and seems even farther away, given the circuitous route of the course. At least one of the players has noticed.
"The 10th and 11th, they're out in the sticks," said Becky Brewerton, the Welsh representative. Who know they spoke that way across the pond?
Around Rich Harvest
A new traffic pattern improved bringing in the massive galleries on Saturday. A VIP parking lot was converted to general parking, an additional entrance was created for the main lot, and alternate routes were used, bringing Friday's maximum delay of two hours down to next to nothing, even though at least 30,000 people were on hand again. … Galleries proper have been announced as 25,000 on Friday, 27,000 on Saturday, and 90,000 including the practice days. That doesn't include support personnel. … Gates open at 8 a.m. Sunday, an hour earlier than originally scheduled.
– Tim Cronin
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