Former US Open champion Alison Nicholas will take charge of Europe’s Solheim Cup team for a second term when the event touches down at Killeen Castle in 2011.
The six-time former Solheim Cup player was unveiled at a press conference at the Co Meath course today where new qualification criteria were introduced. It was also announced that next year’s AIB Ladies Irish Open supported by Failte Ireland will be played at the Jack Nicklaus-designed course from August 6th to 8th.
Nicholas was selected following a unanimous decision by the European Solheim Cup Committee, comprising the Ladies European Tour representatives, Players' Council and past captains.
The committee felt that the experience Nicholas gained at Rich Harvest Farms in Illinois three months ago was invaluable and she deserved to be reappointed.
"I'm absolutely delighted," said Nicholas. "It's a great honour and privilege to be a captain at home. I loved the experience at Rich Harvest Farms and I thought we were going to do it; I really did!
“That's why I'm confident for Ireland because I'm confident in my players. From what I understand it was a unanimous decision so it was very pleasing for me."
On her debut as captain at Rich Harvest Farms, the Americans kept their untarnished home record intact with a 16 to 12 final score against the Europeans and now lead the competition 8-3.
However, Nicholas, from Birmingham in England, feels confident that Europe can stage a comeback at Killeen Castle in September 2011.
"I'm confident because I think we gave them a run for their money at Rich Harvest Farms and the difference between the two teams is very close, as we proved.
“We've got two years to go and there are some good young players on the European Tour. I think they will come into their own over the next two years and we'll have some youngsters to fight those young American players. We've a lot of very, very good players. They just need to believe in themselves a bit more," she said.
In a move to make the European team more competitive, the new selection criteria will see the European team comprise the top four players from the Ladies European Tour's Solheim Cup standings, the next four highest ranked eligible players from the Rolex Rankings and four captain's selections, meaning one more wildcard pick.
"It just gives me a little bit more freedom," added Nicholas. "I think it worked out well this year; we had some very good players from Europe who competed very well at The Solheim Cup but I think an extra pick just gives me some more choice."
Meanwhile, next year’s AIB Ladies Irish Open is expected to draw a very strong field for the €500,000 event, which will provide the only opportunity for players from both sides of the Atlantic to test their skills ahead of the Solheim Cup in a competitive environment.
The event will take place immediately following the Ricoh Women's British Open, which is currently a free week on the LPGA calendar and is therefore expected to attract an extremely strong field of international competitors from all over the world.
"Killeen Castle and its members look forward to offering a warm Irish welcome to the best lady players in the world over the next two years for the AIB Ladies Irish Open and The 2011 Solheim Cup," said Barry O'Connor, general manager of Killeen Castle.
