Dalhousie members stay true to their girl

CARMEL, Ind. -- Cord Dombrowski usually can cheer for Dalhousie Golf Club touring pro Karen Stupples without reservation.

This weekend, he has to temper that some.

"We hope she goes 4-0, and the U.S. wins the Cup," Dombrowski said Friday while attending the Solheim Cup at Crooked Stick Golf Club. "That's the best of both worlds."

Stupples, who was born in England, is playing for the European team in the ninth biennial event.

She played in the afternoon four-ball matches with teammate Sophie Gustafson and lost x-and-x to the U.S. team of Natalie Gulbis and Cristie Kerr. Overall score here.

The event continues today and concludes Sunday when all 12 players from each team play singles matches. Europe needs to split the 28 matches to retain the Solheim Cup while the United States needs 14 1/2 points to win the Cup.

Dombrowski, the managing member of Dalhousie, was joined by a group of club members expected to number 15 to 20 in supporting Stupples.

"Just to be here is a once-in-a-lifetime thing," Dalhousie member Jennifer Coad said. "To think it's your friend playing makes it 10 times as nice."

Although it's unusual when you're friend is playing for the foreign team.

"I usually don't get nervous watching her in tournaments," Coad said. "With this, there is a such a big focus and the people are cheering so loud and they're pro-American, so it makes me nervous for her. I think of her as the underdog."

Stupples, who has been on the LPGA Tour since 1999, is making her first appearance at the Solheim Cup, a team match-play event considered one of the most prestigious golf events in the world.

"It's funny watching her now, representing her country," Dombrowski said. "I remember when she was afraid to talk to anybody. She was just an up-and-coming player."

She began playing under Dalhousie's sponsorship in the 2003 season and had a breakthrough campaign in 2004, winning her first LPGA event and the Women's British Open.

Her agreement with Dalhousie runs through 2006.

"It really worked out for the best for both of us," Dombrowski said. "It gave Karen some financial stability at the time, and it gave Dalhousie a chance for exposure on the LPGA Tour."

Stupples will return to the LPGA Tour for an event in Tulsa, Okla., next week and then come to Cape Girardeau the following week.

Among her expected stops is a hair salon. By then, she should have rinsed out yellow and blue hair dye she sported during Friday's round.

"We'll give her a chance to relax," Dombrowski said. "She's been on the go a lot this year, especially this week. It will be her time off. Slowly, Cape is becoming a second home for her."