Alison Nicholas reappointed captain of European

team for 2011 Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle, Ireland

FROM THE LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE

The Ladies European Tour is thrilled to announce that Alison Nicholas will lead the European Solheim Cup team as captain for a second term at Killeen Castle in Ireland in 2011.

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 re-appointed.

“I’m absolutely delighted,” said Nicholas at a press conference at Killeen Castle today. “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.”

Alexandra Armas, Executive Director of the Ladies European Tour, explained: “Alison was a natural choice for the selection committee as she was such an inspirational figure at Rich Harvest Farms. Although Europe lost the match, Alison had her team extremely well prepared and we are convinced that she will give Europe the best chance of winning back the trophy in Ireland.” John A Solheim, Chairman and CEO of PING, the founding sponsor and global partner of the event, echoed those sentiments. “I was excited to hear that the LET has selected Alison Nicholas as the European Solheim Cup Captain in 2011. Watching Alison's intensity at Rich Harvest Farms, I am confident that she will have the European squad ready for competition at Killeen Castle for the 2011 Solheim Cup,” he said.

The winner of the U.S. Open in 1997, Nicholas made six straight Solheim Cup appearances as a player and was on the European team when it triumphed in Scotland in 1992 (at Dalmahoy) and 2000 (at Loch Lomond).

She retired from tournament play in 2004, but was involved in the competition as Catrin Nilsmark’s assistant captain in 2003 and in 2005. On her debut as Captain at Rich Harvest Farms in 2009, 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 County Meath, from 23-25th 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, there will be new selection criteria in place for the 2011 match. The European team will 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 wild-card pick.

The current system was reviewed by the Committee and Captain, with the feeling that the small changes would give the European Team the best chance to win The Cup back.

“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.”

At the press conference, the Ladies European Tour also announced that players will have the opportunity to play the Solheim Cup course next year, as the AIB Ladies Irish Open supported by Failte Ireland is scheduled to be played at Killeen Castle from August 6 to 8, 2010. The 2010 AIB Ladies Irish Open, with a prize fund of €500,000, will provide the only opportunity for players from both sides of the Atlantic to test their skills on the future Solheim Cup venue ahead of the 2011 matches in a competitive environment.

The event will take place immediately following the Ricoh Women’s British Open from August 6 to 8, 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.

“The Signature course which represents the latest in the Nicklaus design philosophy is one of the finest stadium venues anywhere in the world. The 600 acre estate has the added attraction of having a Dave Pelz Short Game School on site, fishing lakes and the magnificent 800 year old Killeen Castle as a backdrop to many fine holes on the course”.

The Irish organisers are pulling out all the stops to make the next Solheim Cup the best ever when Europe and the United States battle it out at Killeen Castle in 667 days time.

Alison Nicholas Factfile

1962 – Born in Gibraltar on March 6.

1984 – Turned professional.

1987 – Earned first tournament victory at the Weetabix Women’s British Open.

1990 – Played first Solheim Cup match at Lake Nona in Florida.

1992 – Played on winning European Solheim Cup side at Dalmahoy.

1996 – Winner Ladies Irish Open at City West, Dublin.

1997 – Won US Open Championship by a stroke from Nancy Lopez.

1999 – Claimed 18th and final career tournament victory at Sunrise Hawaiian Ladies Open.

2000 - Played on winning European Solheim Cup side at Loch Lomond.

2003 – Vice captain to Catrin Nilsmark when Europe won at Barseback.

2004 – Stepped away from competition after 20 years on Tour.

2005 – Vice captain to Catrin Nilsmark at Crooked Stick, Indianapolis.

2009 – European Solheim Cup Captain at Rich Harvest Farms in Illinois in August.

2009 - In November, named Europe’s Solheim Cup Captain for Killeen Castle in Ireland in 2011.