(Tuesday 25th March 2008 – Cheshire, UK) – European Solheim Cup Captain Alison Nicholas has named Liselotte Neumann from Sweden and England’s Joanne Morley as her assistant captains for the 2009 matches at Rich Harvest Farms, Sugar Grove, Illinois, from 21-23 August 2009.
With Neumann being based in the U.S. and Morley in Europe, the assistant captains will offer Nicholas guidance from both sides of the Atlantic in the lead up to the biennial contest. It is hoped that having two assistant captains, instead of one as previously, will give Nicholas and the European Team the best opportunity to register their first victory on American soil.
“I’m thrilled that Lotta and Joanne accepted my invitation to be assistant captains. Their combined Solheim Cup experience will be invaluable and will help to complement my strengths,” said Nicholas, who made six Solheim Cup appearances and was assistant captain to Catrin Nilsmark in 2003 and 2005.
“Lotta is a well respected player, having competed in six Solheim Cups and been on two winning teams. Joanne is a very good friend and she worked with me behind the scenes when I was vice captain in 2005. Both assistant captains are really excited and committed. We are looking forward to working together to prepare for the 2009 matches.”
Neumann is a six-time member of the European Solheim Cup Team, and played in every event from 1990-2000. A Life Member of the Ladies European Tour, her 27 worldwide victories include the 1988 US Women’s Open and the 1994 Weetabix Women’s British Open and she most recently won the 2004 Asahi Ryokuken International.
“It’s so great to be part of The Solheim Cup again,” said Neumann, who scored 8½ points in the event as a player, with a 6-10-5 record.
“I tried to play my way onto the team over the last few years but wasn’t able to make it so to be part of the team in this way, I’m absolutely thrilled.”
Morley represented Europe in the 1996 Solheim Cup, when she competed alongside Nicholas and Neumann. She has competed on both sides of the Atlantic and registered two tournament victories: at the 1996 and 2000 German Opens.
“I am honoured that Alison asked me and I am obviously thrilled,” said Morley. “Hopefully we can pull all the right strings and bring The Cup back to Europe. We are all going to be 100 percent positive, especially with Alison at the helm. She is one of the most positive people I know.”
John A. Solheim, Chairman and CEO of PING, Inc, added: "With Liselotte and Joanne, it looks like Alison has assembled a fine group of professionals to help her captain the 2009 European Solheim Cup team. They will bring a wealth of experience to the team that will be very valuable."
U.S Solheim Cup Captain Beth Daniel recently named Meg Mallon and Kelly Robbins as her assistant captains for 2009.
About The Solheim Cup
The Solheim Cup is named in honour of the company’s founder, Karsten Solheim, and his family. The Solheim Cup is the most prestigious team event in women’s professional golf. It is a biennial, trans-Atlantic team match-play competition featuring the best U.S.-born players from the LPGA and the best European players from the Ladies European Tour (LET). Following a 16 to 12 victory at the 2007 Solheim Cup in Halmstad, Sweden, the U.S. Team leads the competition, 7-3, and has never lost on home soil. The Solheim Cup is supported by three official Global Partners: AIB, PING and Rolex.
Contact:
Bethan Cutler
Media Manager
Ladies European Tour
bcutler@ladieseuropeantour.com
+44 1590 622888
+44 7980 056045
