They were easy to spot, uniformed in team attire and leading cheers inside the ropes on the first tee. Past Solheim Cup captains from both the European and U.S. sides have been ever-present this week.
Helen Alfredsson and Juli Inkster held court on the deck at the Hilton hospitality area to the right of the giant grandstands on the first hole. And Patty Sheehan put on the kind of dance moves she was famous for as a player. You almost expected her to do a cartwheel as she skipped down the fairways.
They also got to see an old friend. Former LPGA Commissioner Charlie Mechem, who turned 94 this week, sat in a chair within feet of the first tee markers. Nancy Lopez, Alison Nicholas, Meg Mallon, Beth Daniel and Betsy King hugged him tight and shared their appreciation in whispers in his ear, while Stacy Lewis, Morgan Pressel and Nelly Korda chatted with him for a solid five minutes over the thump of a Bee Gees medley on the sound system.
Charlie was just one of many touches that made this week special for the past captains. After play concluded on Saturday, Asprés Golf held a cocktail party on the back lawn of the RTJ clubhouse with all the past captains invited. And the current captains went out of their way to include their predecessors in the festivities throughout the week.
“I think this an amazing event,” Alfredsson said. “It is so wonderful to see that these incredible women get to showcase their golf skills. I really like this golf course. People can easily cross from different holes out on the course. I think an integral part of this event is that the spectators are having fun and that it is easy for them to get around so they can see as much golf as possible.
“Everyone has been very generous to us ex-captains,” Alfredsson continued. “It makes it so fun to come and watch but also to catch up with all the old friends.”
Despite the Europeans trailing, their past captains had nothing but praise for the experience.
“RTJ has been a fantastic venue,” said Catriona Matthew. “The crowds have been out in force and creating a great atmosphere.”
Nicholas agreed, saying, “The atmosphere is unbelievable. It’s good to be a part of. It’s a spectacular golf course, simply superb.”
Given the scoreboard, it’s easy for the American past captains to be happy, but none of them spoke of the lead when asked what they thought of the week.
“Stacy has been great bringing us in with the team,” Rosie Jones said. “We’re also getting involved with some of the vendors out there in the fan zone. It’s great that the team came out really hot. We’re hoping to keep the momentum going, but beyond that, the week has been tremendous. We’ve really felt included.”
Beth Daniel echoed those sentiments. “We’re having a good time. We’ve been treated really well,” Daniel said. “Stacy has taken care of us. We have our own little lounge area with lockers, so it’s been really different from past Solheim Cups for us. It’s like an old home week for so many of us, so it’s nice to have our own area to get together.”
Inclusion was a consistent theme. “We got to have dinner with the team on Thursday night and share (stories),” said Betsy King. “It’s been fun to be around them and support them while they’ve been playing. They’re playing great. It’s been a really nice experience to be here.”
Meg Mallon laid the praise squarely on Lewis, who goes out of her way to bond the past with the present. “She one hundred percent has embraced and included the past captains, which is great,” Mallon said.
Nancy Lopez couldn’t speak highly enough of RTJ and the experience. “I’m so excited to be here,” Lopez said. “The venue is beautiful, one of the prettiest courses I think we’ve played. It’s in great shape. When I’m walking down the fairways, I think, wow, I’d love to hit a shot out here.”
Lopez believes that the presence of past captains is one of many reasons Lewis has created a bonded team. “It’s a good group of players,” Lopez said. “I felt a lot of positive things. We have some fantastic rookies. It’s really feeling good to me. Of course, I don’t want to say anything to jinx them.
“I’m incredibly superstitious,” she continued with her fingers crossed. “(Saturday) morning, I had my visor on and no sunglasses, and we weren’t doing well, so I took my visor off and put my glasses on, and we turned it around. So, I won’t be putting anything on my head again.”
Visor or not, the players seemed happy to have the previous captains out on the course cheering for them. It’s been part of an experience that both sides will cherish for years to come.
