(Tytherington, Cheshire August 28 2003) The European Solheim Cup Committee today announced the appointment of Helen Alfredsson, a stalwart of seven European Solheim Cup teams as the Captain of the European PING Junior Solheim Cup Team.
The 37-year-old from Gothenburg in Sweden has amassed a total of 11 points in The Solheim Cup and was instrumental in both of Europe’s victories in 1992 at Dalmahoy GC and Loch Lomond GC in 2000.
Alfredsson, who has won 18 tournaments around the world in a 14-year career, was delighted to accept the invitation to lead some of the most talented young female golfers in Europe.
“I am very excited about the opportunity to captain the European PING Junior Solheim Cup Team,” said Alfredsson, an honorary life member of the Ladies European Tour.
“It will be an enormous pleasure to watch and guide some of the best European junior players in action in what will be the biggest team event of their careers.
“The Solheim Cup was the biggest honour in my career and I hope to share all of my past experiences with our young team and hopefully guide them to victory in my homeland.
Ian Randell, chief executive of the Ladies European Tour said of Alfredsson’s appointment:
“I’m thrilled that Helen accepted the position of Captain for the PING European Junior Solheim team as she is a wonderful ambassador of the game and an idol for many juniors.
“Helen is the perfect role model and I am sure that her drive and determination will rub off on the young European team, all of whom will be keen to reverse last year’s result.”
The European Junior Team was selected depending on a ranking after ten major amateur events for juniors and like the European senior team selection, the top seven junior golfers from across the continent were automatically selected, while five were Captain’s picks.
The two teams are as follows:
Team Europe Louise Stahle, Sweden Marianne Skarpnord, Norway Clarie Grignolo, Italy Adriana Zwank, Spain Azahara Munõz, Spain Dewi-Claire Shreefel, Netherlands Maria Hernández, Spain Emma Cabrera, Spain Mikaela Bäckstedt, Sweden Caroline Westrup, Sweden Belén Mozo, Spain Minea Blomqvist, Finland
Captain – Helen Alfredsson (Sweden) Vice Captain – Marta Figueras-Dotti (Spain)
Team USA Amanda Blumenherst, Arizona Esther Choe, Californina Amie Cochran, Californina Paula Creamer, Californina Lauren Espinosa, Texas Taylor Leon, Texas Brittany Lincicome, Florida Whitney Myers, Pennnsylvania Jennifer Pandolfi, Florida Jane Park, California Morgan Pressel, Florida Christie Reed, Florida
Captain – Val Skinner Vice Captain – Beth Reuter
The second PING Junior Solheim Cup, which features the 12 best female junior golfers (ages 13-18) from Europe competing against the top 12 junior girls from the United States, will take place at Bokskogens GK, Malmö, Sweden, on September 9-10, 2003. The event immediately precedes The Solheim Cup at nearby Barsebäck Golf and Country Club, Sept. 12-14.
The United States won the inaugural PING Junior Solheim Cup at Oak Ridge Country Club in Minnesota last year, 17 points to 7.
