Official Website Of The 2008 Curtis Cup Match

2006

The war deteriorated into a dismayingly complex and savage struggle, with Iraqis by the thousands killed in sectarian reprisal attacks and the US military's death toll nearing 3,000.

Several GOP lawmakers were brought down by scandals: Mark Foley, Randy Cunningham, Tom DeLay, and Bob Ney.

Israel and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah militia fought a monthlong war in the summer; more than 900 people were killed.

The United States of America team, bolstered by four singles victories Sunday, earned an 11'/2 - 61/2 victory over the squad from the Great Britain and Ireland to win the 2006 Curtis Cup Match, played on the Pacific Dunes Course at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Ore.

The USA swept the foursomes Saturday morning and then won four of the afternoon singles matches to hold a 7-2 lead after the first day, but secured just a half point in the morning foursomes Sunday. Despite seeing its sizable lead shrink, the USA players didn't seem too worried.

"Everyone seemed to be pretty positive about it," said 23-year-old Paige Mackenzie of Yakima, Wash.

Not exactly the reaction one would expect with the GB&I squad putting a dent in the American lead. But USA Captain Carol Semple Thompson spoke all week about how low maintenance, yet focused, her players were. As it turned out, she was right, as the USA retained the Curtis Cup for the fifth consecutive time, improving its overall record to 25-6-3.

In Sunday afternoon's singles matches, 19-year-old Taylor Leon of Dallas, Texas, moved the USA within a half point of at least retaining a share of the cup with a 5-and-4 win over 22-year-old Englishwoman Naomi Edwards. Leon trailed by two holes after four before reeling off wins on seven straight holes.

With 42-year-old Virginia Derby Grimes of Meridian, Miss., and Amanda McCurdy, 22, of El Dorado, Ark., losing their matches to Martina Gillen, 24, of Ireland and 18-year-old Breanne Loucks of Wales, respectively, the USA was bolstered by Leon's victory.

Jennie Lee of Henderson, Nev., clinched the win against Melissa Reid, 18, of England, on the 16th hole. Lee was one of four USA players to play both days in singles; all four went 2-0.

Lee, a 19-year-old sophomore-to-be at Duke University who led the Blue Devils to the 2006 NCAA title, knew she had a chance to seal things.

"Just walking up the 16th fairway I knew that the USA was close to winning," she said. "And then I forgot after we finished 16, and then I was going, `Wait, eight and a half plus my match is nine and a half.' So it just hit me. I had to double check with jenny Suh and I was like, 'Wow, we won: "

On the flip side, GB&I Captain Ada O'Sullivan sensed things were slipping away as the final four matches made the turn. Even though GB&I came out aggressively, unlike the first day, it couldn't sustain its thrust.

"Up until then, we were looking good," said O'Sullivan, the 2004 and 2006 GB&I captain. "It went swinging toward the USA after that."

Championship Facts

Curtis Cup Match

PAR AND YARDAGE – The Old Course at St. Andrews will be set up at 6,638 yards and par is 36-36—72.

GOLF COURSE ARCHITECT – The Old Course was not designed by an architect but has evolved over six centuries. Golf was first played over the Old Course in the early 1400s.

THE OLD COURSE AT ST. ANDREWS HOLE-BY-HOLE: Total: 6,638 yards, par 72

SCHEDULE OF PLAY – On May 30 and May 31 there will be three foursomes and three four-ball matches. On June 1 there will be eight singles matches (18 holes each).

Starting Times –
Friday: 8 a.m. for foursomes; 12:15 p.m. for four-balls
Saturday: 8 a.m. for foursomes; 12:15 p.m. for four-balls
Sunday: 10 a.m. for singles

The 2008 Match will be the first year for the three-day format. The four-ball matches will be new to the Curtis Cup.

WHAT IS THE CURTIS CUP MATCH? – The Curtis Cup Match is contested by women amateur golfers, one team from the United States of America (USA) and one team from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales (GB&I). The teams consist of not more than eight players and a captain. The Match is conducted every two years, alternately in the United States and Great Britain/Ireland.

FOURSOME – A match where two players compete against two other players in alternate-shot format, with each side playing just one ball.

FOUR-BALL – A match in which two players (side) play their better ball against the better ball of the two other players (side).

SINGLES – A match in which one player plays against another.

SCORING – A victory in each match scores one point. In the event a match goes 18 holes without a decision, one-half point is awarded to each side.

OPENING AND CLOSING CEREMONIES – The flag raising ceremony will be held at the Old Course at St. Andrews at 6 p.m. on May 29. The closing ceremony will be held immediately following play Sunday. Both events are open to the public.

ADMISSION – For more information about tickets, click here.


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