There are times when excellence triumphs over statistics. A prime example is the current state of Spanish women's golf, where, with just 40 registered professional players, three Spanish women have qualified to be part of the elite European team that will face the United States in the upcoming Solheim Cup in Colorado this August.

While other countries with a greater number of female players consider this level of representation among the top twelve European teams unattainable, Azahara Muñoz, Beatriz Recari, and Carlota Ciganda have achieved something unthinkable during the early editions of the Solheim Cup, when Swedish and British players dominated the teams. In fact, in 1994, the European team consisted of two Scottish, five English, and three Swedish players.

During that edition, Muñoz and Recari were seven years old, and Ciganda was four. None of them suspected that 19 years later they would be destined to become the leading figures in Spanish and European golf. Although only Azahara Muñoz already knows what it means to represent an entire continent playing golf in the world's top team competition, all of them were able to absorb this spirit of camaraderie and unity at the PING Junior Solheim Cup.

In a heartwarming precedent, the three women met at the 2005 edition held in Carmel, Indiana, where, along with Belén Mozo and Marta Silva, they faced the American junior team. Azahara Muñoz remembers it with particular fondness, as days later they watched the senior competition live. “I remember the opening ceremony. Suddenly, Annika Sorenstam and Suzanne Pettersen were greeting me!”.

Besides enjoying watching her idols at that time, the experience served as a preview of what awaits the European team in a few weeks at the Colorado Golf Club. “I was quite impressed by the atmosphere with the crowd. All the shouting is a bit intimidating. I'm excited to play in this Solheim Cup because of the difference it will make compared to playing at home. We already know how the crowd will behave, and that's why we have to be strong,” Azahara reflects.

In this regard, given the added challenge of playing away from home, veteran Muñoz believes Beatriz Recari will be a key player for the team captained by Liselotte Neumann. “She hasn't played much for clubs, but that won't matter. She's having an incredible year with a spectacular start and she's going to be very important for the team, especially because she's mentally very strong and playing in America with the crowd against her won't affect her at all.”.

The Navarrese golfer was keen to avoid qualifying for the 2011 edition despite winning the Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle on the LPGA Tour the year before. Persistence and hard work define her daily life, and since that painful absence, she set to work to ensure it wouldn't happen again. Her efforts paid off last March when she won her second tournament in the United States, the Kia Classic, a victory that brings her closer to her goal. “It was disappointing not to make the team two years ago, but I considered it something that would make me stronger. Since then, my goal has been to make the team through the Rolex Rankings (the women's world ranking), and right now I'm in,” Recari explains. “It would be great to make the team, but it would be even better if I earned it through my own play and secured my spot without depending on the captain's choices.”.

Among the veterans of the competition, there is a lot of excitement about what the two Spanish debutantes will bring to the table, and they are confident in the strength of the team that will fight to defend the title won in the last edition. Currently, three rookies have qualified (Ciganda, Recari, and the German Caroline Masson), so it is assumed that the captain's choices will ultimately favor more experienced players. "During some LPGA tournaments, I've spoken with players like Suzanne Pettersen and Catriona Matthew about how well the new players are performing and how strong the team will be with the four chosen by the captain," explains Azahara.

For the Malaga native, this year's edition will be special because she'll be able to play alongside her friend Carlota Ciganda. They grew up playing and competing together, forming a lethal foursome that remains undefeated in the many times they represented Spain during their amateur days. The question they asked each other as they grew and excelled has finally received its answer: "Can you imagine playing together in the Solheim Cup?" After their recent great year together, there's no need to keep dreaming. Their participation is now a reality.

No one is better suited than Azahara Muñoz to explain the value Carlota Ciganda can bring to the European team. “She’s fantastic at match play. Lately, she’s been enjoying tournaments in the United States more, and she’s going to love this situation. She always plays well as part of a team. Fourballs aren’t played at the European Championships, but we’ve been a historic foursomes pair and we’re undefeated. Playing alongside her is a dream. It’s incredible.”.

Ciganda can't help but smile when she talks about her great friend. “She's a fantastic player, very well-rounded in every aspect, but if there's one thing that stands out, it's her mental strength. She's always incredibly focused. From tee to green, she never misses a shot, and she putts well too. That's why she's among the top 25 in the world,” explains the Navarrese golfer, who also has words of praise for the other member of the Spanish trio. “Beatriz's work ethic is incredible, the hours she dedicates to training. I hadn't seen her play for a while, and this year I've seen that she's gained distance and that she also has a spectacular short game,” adds the 2012 Ladies European Tour number 1.

Always cautious, aware of the importance of taking things one step at a time in the world of golf, Carlota has practically secured her place among the twelve members of the European team thanks to her three victories on the Ladies European Tour in just one year. A few weeks ago, she was part of the European expedition to Colorado Golf Club along with other players such as Gwladys Nocera, Charley Hull, Maria Hjorth, and Caroline Hedwall. “We spent a couple of days practicing the course, taking notes with the caddies and with the captain and Annika Sorenstam. There was a very relaxed atmosphere. We all had a barbecue together, and I loved listening to the veterans telling anecdotes about the Solheim Cup and the Americans.”.

And faced with the responsibility of playing against the best American players in the world on American soil, Ciganda isn't fazed. Quite the opposite. “I'm really motivated to make my debut in America in front of the home crowd. I want a huge crowd; the more the merrier. And on Sunday, it would be fantastic to face Paula Creamer or Stacy Lewis.” Her words reflect the general sentiment of the three Spanish players in Colorado who are set to make this 2013 Solheim Cup a historic edition for our country.

Source: Ladies European Tour