CURTIS CUP: The Irish presence at the 34th Curtis Cup match, which starts today at the Bandon Dunes Resort overlooking the Pacific Ocean, is the greatest it has been in the history of this biennial clash.
For the first time Ireland provides four players - more than any of the other "home" countries - and the captain, Ada O'Sullivan from Monkstown GC.
O'Sullivan, in charge two years ago at Formby and in the world team championships in Malaysia, is considered a first-class captain who gets the best out of her players.
Cork's former Irish title-holder Claire Coughlan is the only survivor from the 2004 Cup match, which Britain and Ireland lost 10-8 - and she was by far the most successful player, winning both her foursomes and the one singles in which she competed.
"I am really relishing the prospect of taking on the Americans on their home soil," said Coughlan.
For Tricia Mangan selection was a dream come true.
"I have waited a long time for the chance and I'm not going to waste it," said the Irish champion from Ennis.
Beaverstown's Martina Gillen has also waited several years for the chance to take on the might of the US; she was a reserve for the 2002 clash in the States but was completely overlooked for the Formby duel.
Tara Delaney - one of the Carlow sisters - was considered by some to be a surprise selection but not to those who follow American College golf as she has been performing brilliantly as a student at Kent State University.
O'Sullivan is under no illusiions as to the task facing Britain and Ireland, who have not won since Killarney in 1996.
"We need to get off to a good start. Too many times in the past we have had to play catch-up and with this format that is no good," said the skipper.
Apart from the Irish, in the team are three English - Kiran Matharu, at 17 the youngest on either side, Melissa Reid (18) and 22-year-old Naomi Edwards - and one Welsh player, Breanne Loucks (18).
The action gets underway at 3.30 this afternoon (Irish time) with three foursomes to be followed by six singles.
Today's pairings: foursomes: T Mangan and K Matharu v P Mackenzie and A Blumenhurst; M Gillen and N Edwards v V Grimes and A McCurdy; C Coughlan and M Reid v J Park and T Leon.
WOMEN'S TOUR: Australia's Karrie Webb grabbed a one-shot lead over US star Michelle Wie after the third round of the Evian Masters but there was everything to play for heading into the final round with eight players within five strokes of the lead.
US TOUR: Corey Pavin's lead was cut to two shots when the US Bank Championship resumed at Brown Deer Park in Milwaukee yesterday.
Fellow American Chris Smith could not match Pavin's PGA Tour record 26 for the front nine, but he did turn in 29 and as the first round was completed following Thursday's storms Smith went on to post a seven-under-par 63.
