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Europe and the United States, the two teams that will fight for victory at Finca Cortesín, have been the protagonists of the official presentation and photograph, where the team spirit leaves 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 expectation is the official photograph and presentation of the teams, dressed in their respective uniforms.
Cortesín hotel with John Solheim, CEO of PING, and with the Solheim Cup trophy. The Europeans, with a kit in which white and yellow predominated, with blue, yellow trim and red, the latter as a tribute to Spain as the host country, while the American golfers wore clothing that highlighted the blue and red colors 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 beginning to create an atmosphere with striking clothing and original accessories such as wigs or flags.
They also passed through the press room, in their first presentation to the media, Ally Ewing , Lexi Thompson and Danielle Kang , for the American team, and the French Céline Boutier and the Irish Leona Maguire, for the European side.
ALLY EWING : “We are going to work hard to get the trophy back”
“It is an exciting moment. “We have a great team that is going to work very hard and do everything possible to represent the USA and try to get the trophy back.”
“The course is spectacular and complicated at the same time, it is a very good design and a risk-reward golf course.”
LEXI THOMPSON : “ It means a lot to me to be able to play in the Solheim Cup”
Solheim Cup is held , my number 1 goal is to be on the team so I can represent my country. It’s my favorite event. There is nothing like waking up, putting on the colors of our country and representing it.”
“I think we are all leaders in our own way. We come to this week and contribute our strength to the entire team, to the captains and vice-captains .”
DANIELLE KANG: “We have a really strong group”
“It is 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 is really strong, with several champions. “It doesn’t matter if you are a ‘ rookie ‘ or if it is your third time in the Solheim Cup, we all act as leaders and that is very important.”
“My clubs haven’t arrived, but it is what it is, that’s golf, nothing happens. At least I have my putter because I always travel with it separately in a case.”
“To Suzann Pettersen likes very, very long and complicated holes, and also short holes where you get rewards. “We are going to enjoy high-level golf from tee to green .”
LEONA MAGUIRE: “We are going to give our best”
“The course is very good, I think the par 3s are very good. Hole 1 is very exciting to start with and the greens are complicated, they are quite fast.”
“We have a fantastic team, but I think the US also has it, young and prepared.”
“We are going to give our best. So we hope that many people will encourage us.”
“ Suzann is very competitive, she has an incredible record, we want to win for her.”
CELINE BOUTIER: “It’s going to be a physical and mental test”
“I played the first nine holes. “It is a very good match play field and I think it will be a great challenge.”
“This week is going to be both a physical and mental test, it is going to be important to manage our energy so that we have enough left over for Sunday.”
“Win a gold medal at the Olympics or the Solheim Cup? I’m not going to choose. “I’ll take both.”
AROUND THE GREEN
John Solheim , honoree
The days prior to the start of the Solheim Cup competition itself are especially conducive to receiving 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 relevant figures in the world of golf, both for research and development in golf equipment, as well as for the 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 such as 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 granted by the federative body.
Gift from Finca Cortesín
The RFEG Gold Medal was not the only award that John Solheim received, since Vicente Rubio, general director 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.
Solheim himself presented the two captains of this Solheim Cup, Suzann Pettersen and Stacy Lewis, of a gift that consisted of a necklace.
More information on the website www.solheimcup2023.eu, on the Twitter account @SolheimCup2023, on the Instagram account @solheimcup2023esp and on the Facebook page Solheim Cup 2023.
