Sorenstam still sets a high standard

GOLF/SOLHEIM CUP 2011: PHILIP REIDtalks to Europe's vice-captain who was very impressed with the course at Killeen Castle

THE CLOCK is ticking down, with exactly one year to go to the Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle. But, for those charged with regaining the famed crystal trophy, the work has already started; and, yesterday, Annika Sorenstam – the record points scorer in the event’s history – was on site at the Co Meath venue to cast an eye over the course that Jack Nicklaus built. The planning and plotting has started in earnest, it would seem.

In tandem with captain Alison Nicholas and fellow vice-captain Joanne Morley, Sorenstam – who retired from competitive golf in 2008 with a record 10 Major titles, over €17 million in prize money on the US LPGA Tour and over 90 tournament wins around the globe – has a special affection for the Solheim Cup and would desperately like to find a way for Europe to again find dominance.

First impressions? “I love the course. It’s challenging with a lot of options, perfect for matchplay,” said the Swede, who has become a mother – to Ava – since giving up life on tour.

Sorenstam may have walked away from tournament golf, but she remains as busy as ever. Apart from motherhood, she has a flourishing golf course design business, runs an academy, has a clothing and fashion line and even produces a wine that bears her name. Brand Annika is a thriving and seemingly recession-proof business. “A lot of my business is lifestyle, the lifestyle I live. I am a Type A personality, I’m sure you’ve noticed that. I am always on the go and love building something from scratch.

“In golf, it was results that drove me and now I want to have the best academy out there. We’re talking wines, my goal is to have people to drink glasses of my red and say, ‘wow, this is one of the best I’ve had’ or, in my clothing, go ‘hey, I’m proud of my shirt’, and, in golf course design, I want people to say, ‘this is a great golf course, I want to play it again’. I set a high standard in what I want to achieve and that takes hard work.”

Sorenstam didn’t fall out of love with golf. “No,” she answered, “just the motivation to practice, the motivation to stay at the top. I just realised winning another tournament didn’t fulfil me anymore. I had climbed my Mount Everest, I wanted to climb other mountains. I had other passions and had other interests I wanted to pursue. I wanted to start a family.

“To me, I had given 100 per cent to something and if I can’t do that I don’t want to do it. I know what it is like to be at the top. In my opinion you have to dedicate yourself 100 per cent to be a professional golfer. To me, it was (a case of) ‘I’ve been there, I don’t want to do it half-way because that’s not going to make me happy’. On the contrary actually, I’d probably be unhappy playing 10 tournaments a year and not performing.”

As such, Sorenstam didn’t automatically reply in the affirmative when captain Nicholas first made the call asking her to be a vice-captain for next year’s Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle.

“First I was quiet,” she recalled. “And then I said, ‘don’t take that the wrong way, I am thrilled that you asked me, I just want to make sure I can do what this role needs, that I can live up to your expectations . . . can I call you back in 24 hours?’ And I did. I was delighted to do it, I just wanted to make sure I could fulfil the role. That was all. She said I could, so here we are.”

Nicholas, for one, knows she has strengthened her backroom team by having Sorenstam as a part of it. “Her experience is phenomenal, what she’s done in the game. She’s got a great head on her, a lot of knowledge. He’s very passionate about the game and the Solheim Cup. She’s got such a great respect amongst the players. She’ll bring an awful lot. For me, it’s just awesome and a privilege to work with her,” said Europe’s captain.