academy4

Solheim And Vacation

Hi everyone! I'm back in Orlando after two weeks in Europe. Last time I wrote, we were in Sweden getting ready for the Solheim Cup. That was a great week – the team was great, the course was beautiful (too bad the weather wasn't!). I have to congratulate the Americans on a great performance. They played well and got us in the end. Given the conditions that we had, I am amazed at the level of play. We left with disappointment, but I have to feel that it is just good for women's golf in general and I was so honored to be a part of it.

After the busy week in Sweden, Mike and I headed out on an engagement trip to Monte Carlo. Neither of us had been there, so we got a feel for what the French Riviera is all about. It was a beautiful place – fabulous hotel, exquisite food, and great wines! It was nice to charge the batteries after a tough week. We didn't exactly break the casino, but the casino itself seemed like it was right out of a movie. I visualized James Bond there playing. The aura and history of Monte Carlo is very impressive. The French food is amazing - the sausage, the meat, the potatoes, the fish, the vegetables. The small portions are really all about the presentation.

After Monte Carlo, we rented a car and drove up into the wine country. We stayed in a castle from the 1500s, did some wine tasting, saw the French countryside. It was a very cool experience. The wineries had the best farm bread (so crisp) and homemade butter and the cheeses. Yum.

A friend of ours got married in Paris in a medieval castle from the 1300s. They had a murder-mystery costume party one of the nights we were there. It was a lot of fun. We were all dressed up in costumes and we had to act as a character throughout the evening. I was Antoinette - a social butterfly, trying to climb up in the social ladder by schmoozing and getting land from the king. Mike was one of the king's protectors. It was really cool because you were sitting in this old dining room, dressing the part. A lot of fun.

It was definitely a great vacation, but now we are back here in Orlando. Next week is a big week…we have the winners of my "Share My Passion" sweepstakes in town and my sponsors are coming in for our annual Sponsor Summit. We then have meetings with my Board of Directors.

Bonjour...

 

A Long Distance Hello

Greetings from Sweden! It isn’t often these days that I get to go back to my native country twice in a year. We were just here in August for the Scandinavian TPC that I hosted and now we are back for The Solheim Cup. This is always a very special week for me. There is nothing quite like a team event. I enjoy the opportunity to play with a great group of women and this is year is even more special because it is on my home turf!

Playing in a team event is always a nice change of pace as each week we usually play individual stroke play over 72 holes. I really enjoy team events because of the camaraderie that we share as a group fighting for one cause. It is always fun when you have teammates and you cheer each other on, however when you are playing for all of Europe I must admit that there is a lot of pressure.

I have so many special memories from my seven Solheim Cups, especially when we won in Barseback four years ago. The atmosphere was electrifying and we had a lot of Swedes on the team. I remember thinking it was appropriate that we were able to win here for all of the fans who came out to support us. The Solheim Cup has built a great history and has become very competitive. I expect nothing different this year as we will face a US team that has a lot of young, talented players. It is going to be some incredible golf this week and I’m just thrilled to represent my home country and Europe. My friends and family are going to be there.

I am very happy with the way my game is starting to come around. I feel great and in my last tournament I hit it better than I have in well over a year. It has been a long process, but I really feel like I am getting stronger and getting better. I’m excited about this week!

Until next time...

--A