Europe and the United States, the two teams that will fight for victory at Finca Cortesín, were the protagonists of the official presentation, where the team spirit puts aside the traditional individualism of golf.
One of the traditions prior to the start of the competition in the Solheim Cup that arouses the most excitement is the photo and official presentation of the teams, dressed in their respective uniforms.
All the players posed in the courtyard of the Finca Cortesín hotel alongside John Solheim, CEO of PING, and with the Solheim Cup trophy. The European players wore outfits predominantly white and yellow, with blue, yellow, and red trim—the latter as a tribute to Spain as the host country—while the American golfers sported outfits featuring blue and red in honor of their flag.
Previously, both Europeans and Americans had the opportunity to continue learning about the characteristics of the field while the first spectators were already starting to create an atmosphere with striking outfits and original accessories such as wigs or flags.
Also appearing in the press room for their first appearance before the media were Ally Ewing, Lexi Thompson and Danielle Kang, representing the American team, and Céline Boutier from France and Leona Maguire from Ireland, representing the European side.
ALLY EWING: “We’re going to work hard to win back the trophy”
“It’s an exciting time. We have a great team that will work very hard and do everything possible to represent the USA and try to win back the trophy.”.
“"The course is spectacular and challenging at the same time; it's a very good design and a high-risk, high-reward golf course.".
LEXI THOMPSON: ”It means a lot to me to be able to play in the Solheim Cup”
“Every year the Solheim Cup is held, my number one goal is to make the team so I can represent my country. It’s my favorite event. There’s nothing like waking up, putting on our country’s colors, and representing it.”.
“I believe we are all leaders in our own way. We come into this week and contribute our strength to the entire team, to the captains and the vice-captains.”.
DANIELLE KANG: “We have a really strong group”
“It’s always an honor to wear red, white, and blue and represent your country in any competition. The whole team is excited. We have a great group; it’s really strong, with several champions. It doesn’t matter if you’re a rookie or if it’s your third time at the Solheim Cup, we all act as leaders, and that’s very important.‘
“My clubs haven’t arrived, but that’s life, that’s golf, no big deal. At least I have my putter because I always travel with it separately in a case.”.
“Suzann Pettersen likes very, very long and complicated holes, and also short holes where you get a reward. We're going to enjoy a high level of golf from tee to green.”.
LEONA MAGUIRE: “We are going to give it our all”
“The course is very good, I think the par 3s are very good. The 1st hole is very exciting to start with and the greens are tricky, they are quite fast.”.
“We have a fantastic team, but I think the USA has one too—young and well-prepared.” “We’re going to give it our all. So we hope a lot of people will come out to cheer us on.” “Suzann is very competitive, she has an incredible record, and we want to win for her.”.
CELINE BOUTIER: “It’s going to be a physical and mental test”
“I’ve played the first nine holes. It’s a very good match play course and I think it’s going to be a great challenge.”.
“This week is going to be both a physical and mental test; it will be important to manage our energy so that we have plenty left for Sunday.”.
“Winning a gold medal at the Olympic Games or the Solheim Cup? I’m not going to choose. I’ll take both.”.
AROUND THE GREEN
John Solheim, honoree
The days leading up to the start of the Solheim Cup competition itself are especially conducive to tributes and recognitions, and of all of them, the most important has been the one received by John Solheim from the Royal Spanish Golf Federation.
John Solheim, president of Karsten Manufacturing Company and PING, is undoubtedly one of the most important figures in the world of golf, both for research and development in golf equipment, and for his important sponsorship work, continuing the legacy of his parents, creators of the Solheim Cup in 1990, and expanding it with his idea of adding a junior tournament to the event since 2002, the PING Junior Solheim Cup.
For all these reasons, Gonzaga Escauriaza, president of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation, presented John Solheim with the Gold Medal for Merit in Golf, the highest award given by the federation.
Gift from Finca Cortesín
The RFEG Gold Medal was not the only award John Solheim received, as Vicente Rubio, general manager of Finca Cortesín, presented him on behalf of the host club with a painting by the painter Graeme W. Baxter in which the protagonist is the 13th hole, one of the most emblematic of the course.
Finally, at the same event, John Solheim himself presented the two captains of this Solheim Cup, Suzann Pettersen and Stacy Lewis, with a gift consisting of an attractive necklace.
