Juli Inkster did such a terrific job as captain of the United States team in the Solheim Cup matches this year that she is retaining her post.
In a surprise announcement in Des Moines, Iowa, the LPGA Tour introduced Inkster, from Los Altos and San Jose State, as U.S. captain for the 2017 matches against Europe at Des Moines Country Club.
“The committee … got together right after the Solheim Cup and decided which way to go,” said Inkster, who will become the fourth American to lead two American teams in the biennial event. “They asked me to do it again, and I jumped at the opportunity.
” … Even if we had lost, I would have done it again. It was so much fun. It was an amazing experience for me. I grew as a person doing it, and some of the leadership skills I didn’t think I had, I found out that I could.
“We won, and things turned out well.”
Inkster’s U.S. team was furious by what it believed to be a breach of sportsmanship when Alison Lee of Valencia and UCLA thought her putt had been conceded during the four-ball matches, but Suzann Pettersen of Sweden insisted it had not been–even though the Euros and their caddies were walking off the green.
The U.S. trailed, 10-6, heading to the singles matches and claimed 8 1/2 of the 12 points available to pull out a 14 1/2 to 13 1/2 victory at Golf Club St. Leon Rot in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, with Paula Creamer of Pleasanton and Gerina Piller securing the deciding points.
“I’ve had a lot of exciting and memorable highlights during my time on tour, but leading that team of 12 women was one of the biggest thrills of my entire career.” said Inkster, who will try to join Judy Rankin as the only U.S. captain to claim two victories in the Solheim Cup. “So the answer was easy.
“It’s going to be harder. There’s going to be more pressure on the girls to play, and they’re going to have to realize that. … A year-and-a-half away, I think the first fairway is going to be lined, packed in red, white and blue. … I’ve always wanted to be captain in the U.S.”
Inkster won 31 times in her LPGA Tour career including seven majors en route to a 2000 induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame, and posted a 15-12-7 record–6-1-2 in singles–in nine Solheim Cups.
The U.S. leads the Solheim Cup series, 9-5, but Europe won two in a row before the American victory in September.
