During my journey of the game of golf, I often wondered whether I would ever get an opportunity to witness the Solheim Cup, which is the Women’s version of the famous RYDER CUP played between the mighty golfing nation USA and the countries of the European Union alternate years.
An invitation to the 2015 edition of the Solheim Cup, was a wonderful surprise and an honour that I received from the Ladies European Tour. The championship lived up to my expectations – what followed once I landed in Germany would be the best golfing treat that a golfer would not want to ever forget in a lifetime!
In the words of Mr John Solheim who established this magnificent championship stated that “The Solheim Cup is a stage for THE ABSOLUTE EXCELLENCE” created to honour and bring out the best in female players who compete. Players from USA the mighty golfing nation, versus players from countries within the European Union play Foursomes, Four balls followed by singles matches. Match play in golf is probably the toughest form of the game.
Super quick thinking with almost zero margins for error is the basis of the format that this master championship is played. Team Europe took the lead after the Foursomes and four ball matches which were fought tooth and nail by the best known names from the USA and EU teams. The strategist USA kept their senior most players for the singles matches which finally got them the coveted trophy. Team Europe lost by a single point and the hat trick that they were trying to achieve.
Gruelling days for the players, some of whom have to play 36 holes on the same day to keep the flags of their nations at the top. The picturesque & stylish 45 hole ST LEON GOLF CLUB situated in small hamlet ROT, close to the vicinity of Heidelberg played host to not one but two Solhiem Cups back to back. The Junior Solhiem Cup Championship played the just before the main Solhiem Cup is in my opinion the platform created for “SUPER GROOMING”.
Heartening was to witness the surge of spectators over the Championship days who showed up to cheer both sides. The official figures released by ladies European tour was 100,000 spectators who followed the two teams in an unprecedented euphoria that had not been witnessed at any previous Solheim Cup!
Rousing compliments came from visiting LPGA officials and spectators on the bonhomie, camaraderie, hospitality & cheer at the renowned “Oktober fest” that marked the opening and closing ceremonies of the Solheim Cup.
For golf connoisseurs, do travel with your golf sets to St LEON Golf Club in ROT Germany, for a memorable golfing experience.
Champika N Sayal is the Secretary General of WGAI
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- champika sayal
- solheim cup 2015
- women's golf india
