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Golf:Sweden's Liselotte Neumann will captain the European Junior Solheim Cup team when played at the Knightsbrook Resort in Meath next September.
The former women’s British and US Open champion played on six Solheim Cup teams between 1990 and 2000 and was vice captain to Alison Nicholas for the 2009 matches at Rich Harvest Farms in Illinois.
The 44-year-old takes over from compatriot Carin Koch for the junior matches and will be up against her opposite number Meg Mallon, who is the American Junior Solheim Cup captain. Mallon also served as a vice captain in 2009 under Beth Daniel.
“I’m excited and honoured to be named as captain of the European PING Junior Solheim Cup team,” said Neumann, who believes her experience can help the European junior team win the trophy back. “This event represents a wonderful opportunity for girls to play on a team against other top players. Representing Europe is always something special and really motivates you to become a better golfer.
“I want to take my experiences from The Solheim Cup and from my professional career and use them to give the juniors advice and help them in situations where they need assistance,” she added. “It will be a fun week and I’m looking forward to meeting the girls and to doing everything I can to help them win back the trophy for Europe.”
The 2011 matches will be the sixth in the series since its inception in 2002 where two 12-strong teams from Europe and America with girls aged between 12 and 18 will compete. The junior event will take place at Knightsbrook on September 20-21 and serves as the curtain-raiser ahead of the main Solheim Cup to take place several miles away at Killeen Castle from September 23rd, 2011.
Sinead Heraty, chief executive Irish Ladies Golf Union (ILGU) said: “The ILGU is delighted to be involved in hosting the very prestigious PING Junior Solheim Cup in Ireland. It is very important for the development of girls’ golf to have role models who promote all that is best in the game.
“Lotta Neumann is a wonderful ambassador and role model for golf. The European team is in very good hands and the girls will benefit from her leadership and experience.”
Ireland’s Maguire twins, Lisa and Leona, are two of the world’s leading players in the women’s amateur game and the Cavan teenagers are expected to play a part in the Junior Solheim Cup next year.