European captain chooses Stupples for Solheim team

Southeast Missourian

Dalhousie Golf Club touring professional Karen Stupples was chosen Sunday as one of five wild card selections for the European Solheim Cup team.

She will be playing for the first time in what is billed as the most prestigious team event in women's golf. This year's three-day, match-play event will be played Friday through Sept. 11 at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Ind.

The U.S. leads the series 5-3, although the European team won the 2003 meeting in Sweden.

"The membership and staff at Dalhousie Golf Club is extremely pleased that Karen was selected to compete in the upcoming Solheim Cup matches," Dalhousie general manager Andy Deiro said in a press release. "In fact, a group of Dalhousie members plan on attending the event to root Karen on and take in the exciting golf that will take place during this prestigious event."

Stupples, originally from England, will join a European team featuring Annika Sorenstam and Laurie Davies.

She stood 11th on the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit as of Aug. 27 -- the top seven are automatic qualifiers -- but she had played in only nine events, the fewest among any golfer in the top 17.

She was 38th on the LPGA Tour money list this year with $270,680 in earnings heading into this weekend's State Farm Classic, where she missed the cut.

Last year, she finished sixth on the LPGA Tour with $968,852 and two tournament victories -- including the Women's British Open.

She began this year competing in a team event -- the Women's World Cup of Golf. Stupples and Davies, representing England, were in the hunt on the final day before finishing ninth in the 20-team field.

"I think she's been very steady over the past couple of years," said European captain Catrin Nilsmark, "and she's been waiting to get on The Solheim Cup team for a number of years, and she made herself available."

"Karen played with Laura in the Women's World Cup of Golf earlier in the year, and that definitely had an impact."