Lewine Mair and Dermot Gilleece
distinction of being the oldest among 120
overseas volunteers. These included 58 from
the U.S., eight Canadians, two Germans and
one each from Sweden, France and Spain. The
remaining 51 were from the United Kingdom.
Barbara Trulick (80), who was in charge
of cart-driving duties for the players, and her
76-year-old husband, Dick, had the distinction
of being the oldest involved.
Among the large galleries, a special warmth
was perceptible towards European veteran
Davies, especially from her many Irish admir-
ers. Perhaps they were conscious of this as a
swan song for the 47-year-old from an event
in which she has been ever-present since its
launch at Lake Nona in 1990.
Irish aficionados had not forgotten the huge
role Davies played in effectively reviving wom-
en’s tournament golf in the country. It dates
back to 1993 when, with extremely little prize-
money at stake, she travelled over and won
the 18-hole Ford Golf Challenge at Woodbrook
with a sparkling 66. Totally overshadowed, in a
share of fourth place, was a promising young
Swede named Sorenstam.
junior tournaments and I watched them this
week in the Junior Solheim Cup. They’re great.”
As for Norway’s pride and joy, he added:
“Suzann has shown everybody that it is pos-
sible for our country to become a world-class
golfer. And that’s coming from courses with
long winters and where the greens would prob-
ably never reach 10 on the Stimpmeter. She’s a
wonderful role model for all the kids.”
It was not the kind of thing you would expect
to see at a Ryder Cup but, in the minutes before
play resumed for a third time, Pettersen, who
was waiting to tee off at the 14th in her match
with Michelle Wie, was bouncing the ball up
and down on her wedge before looping it across
to Nicholas, her captain, who did precisely the
same.
Given the relative strengths of the countries
as golfing nations, it seemed highly improbable
that a Norwegian would be consoling his Irish
hosts about the absence of any home repre-
sentative in the European team. While watching
world No. 2 Pettersen battle in the European
cause, Frobe Scheie spoke of the future for the
women’s game in Ireland.
“Don’t worry, Ireland’s turn will be coming
soon,” said the sports director of the Norwe-
gian Golf Federation. “The Maguire girls (twins)
are awesome. I’ve seen them many times in
Gustafson, as is well known, has a slight
speech impediment. Indeed, it is well known
how, in her amateur days, she would take aim on
second place in order to avoid having to make a
speech. Eventually, Pia Nilsson, a former Sol-
heim Cup captain, got her over that hurdle by tell-
ing her that all she had to say was “thank you.”
Sunday, Gustafson had another word on
her lips to capture her win over Lewis:
“Incredible!” l
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