A Positive Future for Women’s Golf

ANNIKA Foundation President Don Ochsenreiter is on the ground in Ireland for the 2011 Solheim Cup. He weighs in on the players, fans and potential this year's competition brings.

IRELAND, 4:35 p.m.—After seeing firsthand the talent of the 2011 Junior Solheim Cup players, I can safely say the future of women's golf is promising for both the USA and Europe. 

Team USA players Gabby Then and Emma Talley

For two intense days, the best junior girls from the USA and Europe battled the wind, rain and cold at Knightsbrook Hotel Spa & Golf Resort, Co. Meath, Ireland. After 24 matches, the two teams ended up in a tie (12-12). However, because the USA won the previous Junior Solheim Cup two years ago, it retained its title as Junior Solheim Cup champion. 

2011 Junior Solheim Cup reigning champions. Congrats, girls!

These juniors are great golfers and wonderful people. I’m certain we'll see many of these girls competing on a much larger stage in future Solheim Cups. In fact, 9 of this year’s 24 players have played on Junior Solheim Cup teams in the past, including Sophie Gustafson, Azahara Munoz, Caroline Headwall and Anna Nordqvist from Europe and Morgan Pressel, Paula Creamer, Brittany Lincicome and Brittany Lang from the US.

Annika is pictured with members of the victorious 

USA junior team at the 2011 Solheim Cup Gala.

How about these fans?

Local schools in Ireland allowed their students come out to watch the event as a "field day" trip. Chants of "Europe! Europe!" rattled through the wind and rain from green to green. 

They were just as excited to watch golf as they were to leave school!

The students brought their lunches in small bags and I noticed most of them were eating fruit as a snack. How refreshing! This is the kind of inspiration that drives our work at the ANNIKA Foundation. I was happy to see these energetic kids setting an example for their peers of healthy eating.

A little rainy out here, guys?

The Solheim Cup

Held every two years, The Solheim Cup is named in honor of Karsten Solheim. Solheim is the founder of Karsten Manufacturing Corporation, which makes PING golf equipment. The Solheim Cup is the biggest and most highly coveted title in women’s professional golf team competition.

The 2011 Solheim Cup kicks off on Friday morning from Killeen Castle, Ireland. Annika is an assistant captain of the European team this year, and she's spending a lot of quality time on the team bus. 

As reigning champions, the U.S. only needs 14 points and a tie to retain the Solheim Cup. Europe will need 14 1/2 points to win.

Good luck to Annika and everyone involved in the tournament this year. It’s sure to be an exciting one!

-Don Ochsenreiter, President, ANNIKA Foundation