I came as a rookie spectator, I left as a Solheim Cup superfan

Even though I’ve golfed my entire life, I haven’t attended many professional events. In fact, my history of tournaments was limited to the PGA – once with my dad when he was in his 80s and the other time with my husband when we were first married. In both cases, I attended because of the company, not necessarily to watch golf. 

In fact, I’d never gone to a golf event to watch the action – until I attended this year’s  Solheim Cup in Spain. As a golf and travel writer (with Spain as my niche), it seemed my destiny was to cover the event. However, while I was no stranger to the country, I was a Solheim rookie, so I needed to do my homework on the event prior to going. 

I was a great student – I read up on the venue, the players, and Captain Stacy Lewis. I binged YouTube videos of past Solheim Cups.

All of this helped, but I still wondered how it’d all come together – after all, I was new to the tournament scene, and I was traveling solo.

Team Captain Stacy Lewis’ Advice

And then, just before I left for Spain, I stumbled upon an interview with Captain Stacy Lewis. She gave some standard pre-tournament comments but then said something that became the guiding principle for my first Solheim experience and maybe my life. 

Lewis reported that she was doing everything she could to be well-prepared and help facilitate a positive team atmosphere. She said she wanted her players to have a fun experience and stressed that no matter what the outcome was, she wanted her players to look back on the week with positive memories and the motivation to return.

That last part stopped me in my tracks and inspired my Rookie Solheim Strategy:

Prepare. Keep things positive. Have fun. And above all… make it an experience that I’ll look back on with positive memories and want to return again.

I stopped worrying about my rookie status at the Solheim Cup and instead used it to meet people from around the world. With my catchphrase, “This is my first Solheim – any advice on how to make the most of it?” I had the spectator experience of a lifetime.

I discovered that Solheim fans are SUPERFANS and Amazing Humans. Period. 

Everyone was more than willing to help – let’s start with the fleet of volunteers from around the world. Their friendly smiles were waiting at every turn, keeping things moving and always willing to help. Then there were the spectators on the course, shuttle bus-mates, and Solheim fans at restaurants and my hotel. Each person had great advice and interesting Solheim stories.

Hot tip: it’s easy to recognize a Solheim fan… they’re almost always decked out in their country’s colors and sometimes in Uber creative costumes.  I found that many roads lead to the Solheim Cup:

• Solheim to Give Back – Volunteer. The friendly international squad of volunteers is a huge part of the event’s success. They kept the crowds in line, helped lost spectators, assisted the media, and did about a million other things. Need some cafe con leche or sangria? (We’re in Spain, don’t forget.) The volunteers got me there. I befriended one volunteer friend group representing Ireland, England, Illinois, and Missouri – they’ve been volunteering together since 2011. Solheim volunteering is an amazing gig if you like golf and helping people. 
• Solheim With Your Partner. Couples who love golf love traveling to watch golf, too. I talked to many women who told me their husbands now prefer watching women’s golf to men’s. 
• Solheim with 100 or so new friends. If your friends aren’t into golf, make new ones by joining a golf travel group. This is a great way to leave the trip logistics to someone else, make new friends, enjoy the event, and perhaps get a few rounds of golf at an area course.
• Solheim Solo. For solo travelers like myself, I promise you won’t feel alone. At the Solheim Cup, you always have an opening line, “Where are you from?” Or “Is this your first Solheim?” I met people from around the world and my own state. Everyone wants to tell their Solheim stories, and almost every conversation ends with, “See you in 2024!”
• Girls Gone Solheim. Many women make the Solheim the impetus for a girls’ trip – they either travel together from home or meet at the event. It’s a chance to reconnect, travel to fun places, get in a round or two, but most importantly, be a part of the spirit of an event that’s changing the face of golf for women and girls.

Beautiful Venue 

Adding to the experience was the backdrop – the gorgeous Finca Cortesin, a world-class golf course in the heart of the Costa del Sol (or Costa del Golf, as some say). The pristine fairways offered breathtaking views of the mountains, and the climate was ideal.

Up Close and Personal with the Players

One volunteer I spoke with told me I’d be able to get player autographs during practices, and during the tournament, I could get up close and personal by following them along the course. He was right – I watched unbelievable golf all week. Both the US and European players wowed me with their talent.

In the end… the 14-14 tie meant Europe would keep the Cup. 

However, Stacy Lewis had nothing but pride for her team, saying they “Played their hearts out.” and “All I can say is that this feels like a win. Look at where we were two years ago in Toledo and where we are now.” 

And as far as her true goal of having her players leave the Solheim Cup having had a positive experience and wanting to return? 

I’d say that goal was accomplished as well, per Danielle Kang’s remarks (paraphrased)…

“I was so honored to be on this team, to experience what I experienced this week. Listen, when I’m old and gray one day and look back, I’m going to remember our team rooms where (Megan Khang) and (Angel Yin) and all these girls were hyping us up, and I wish you guys had a camera. I wish people could experience what I experienced last night and this week because it was unbelievable.” 

Kang concluded, “When I retire, when I’m all done with things, it’s not about who won the Cup; it’s about the moment, and we built it.”

With that, Captain Stacy Lewis can rest assured she accomplished her goal – with her team and everyone watching feeling the positive energy generated that week. 

As a rookie, I saw that the Solheim Cup goes beyond golf. It’s about all the moments that make it magical, thanks to the positive spirit and unbelievable support of everyone attending.

I found that magic. 

And I’ll be back.