Countdown starts in earnest to Solheim Cup

With the Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle in Dunsany now less than a month away, final preparations are taking place at the venue as European captain Alison Nicholas named her team this week. Nicholas handed her wild cards to Spain's Azahara Muñoz, Sweden's Caroline Hedwall, England's Karen Stupples and Sandra Gal of Germany. Meath's tourism providers are also getting geared up for the big event, which takes place from 23rd to 25th September, with practice days taking place from Tuesday 20th. The previous week, Trim will host the Junior Solheim Cup at Knightsbrook Hotel and Golf Resort, and with day tickets for the Solheim Cup going on sale in recent weeks, a huge marketing campaign on television, billboards and the print media has got into full swing. Meath Tourism's James Brennan said that this high-profile campaign to sell tickets is increasing the momentum for the event, and providing business for the accommodation providers in the county. "With the take-up on sales, ticket-buyers will also be looking for accommodation," he said. "So the remaining accommodation in hotels, bed and breakfasts and guesthouses around the county should be able to complement the corresponding demand." Almost 80 per cent of Meath Tourism members' accommodation is booked in advance of the event. Alison Nicholas' four wild cards complete the 12-woman team that will attempt to wrest the cup back from the United States of America three weeks' from now. "I am confident in my team and I believe that we will do very well at Killeen Castle," said Nicholas, who also captained the European side in 2009 at Rich Harvest Farms in Illinois in the US. "These players represent the best of European women's golf and we look forward to putting on a magnificent show for the fans." Scotland's Catriona Matthew, along with Sweden's Maria Hjorth, Anna Nordqvist and Sophie Gustafson qualified for the European side from the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings. England's Melissa Reid and Laura Davies, Norway's Suzann Pettersen and Christel Boeljon from the Netherlands had already earned their places on the team from the Ladies European Tour's Solheim Cup points' list. Nicholas has two assistant captains in Joanne Morley and Annika Sorenstam, while the United States team captain, Rosie Jones, also has two assistant captains. They are Sherri Steinhauer and Juli Inkster, who will be the first playing captain in Solheim Cup history. Jones named her team on 21st August. The United States has won the last three matches and eight of the 11 editions played against Europe since the inaugural event in 1990 with an overall score line of 8-3. However, Europe will be targeting a fourth home victory after their most recent success at Barsebäck Golf and Country Club in Sweden in 2003. In Killeen, preparations have been ongoing with the installation of Paul Ferriter's sculpture of golf course designer Jack Nicklaus at the first tee. The statue had been commissioned some years ago and has been put in place in time for the showcase event at the Dunsany course which hosted the 2010 and 2011 Ladies Irish Opens. Meath County Council has been working on resurfacing roads in the area, and cutting grass verges and hedges, while upright banners welcoming the Solheim Cup have been erected in plantings on main roads throughout the county.