For old time's sake

As European players doused themselves with champagne to celebrate a Solheim Cup victory in Sweden two years ago, Meg Mallon gathered the old guard on the U.S. team for group photos of what many figured would be the last time together playing for their country.

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Mallon and Beth Daniel had played on seven teams. Rosie Jones was on six teams; Juli Inkster on five. They were in their 40s and had combined to play in 87 matches. All of them had a winning record.

"We thought that might be our last one," Mallon said. "Now we have another chance."

Yet the ninth Solheim Cup, which starts Friday at Crooked Stick in Carmel, Ind., is not about making memories, rather purging them. Still fresh in their minds is the beating the Americans took two years ago in Sweden, and the chaotic finish that contributed to the biggest blowout in these matches.

Catriona Matthew earned the decisive point for Europe, and confusion joined the celebration. Spectators ran through the bunkers and across the course, even with five matches still in progress. Some players were told to stop playing, others continued. Ultimately, it was decided that whoever was behind would concede her match.

The final score: Europe 17, United States 10.

"I don't even look at it as a proper score," Mallon said.

If there is a score to settle at this Solheim Cup, it comes with the added pressure of having never lost on U.S. soil. The closest Europe has come was three years ago at Interlachen in Minnesota, where it led 9-7 going into the singles until succumbing to an American rally.

"I'm not quite sure how this course is going to set up, but I feel like our team is playing good," Inkster said. "There's nothing better than winning at home. I can't imagine anything worse than losing at home, and we don't plan on doing that. We just need to get off to a better start."

For the quintet - including 40-year-old Michele Redman - in their 40s to go out in style, they'll need help from kids young enough to be their daughters. Never has there been such an infusion of youth on the U.S. team, led by 19-year-old Paula Creamer, who is the first LPGA Tour rookie to earn a spot on the Solheim Cup team.

Creamer was in Sweden two years ago, with red, white and blue paint on her face, having played in the Junior Solheim Cup. She also starred for the U.S. at the Curtis Cup last summer in England.

And she is not afraid to speak her mind.

Standing with her teammates last week in Ohio, Creamer oozed so much confidence that even the veterans were shocked at her message to the Europeans.

"All I can say is they had better get ready," Creamer said. "Because they're going to get beat."

Also playing for the first time are 22-year-old Natalie Gulbis and 21-year-old Christina Kim. Joining them on the team is 27-year-old Cristie Kerr, the woman atop the U.S. standings.

And to think that only a few years ago there was a dearth of good young U.S. players.

The next team might include Morgan Pressel and Michelle Wie, if she joins the LPGA Tour.

"I have to say, four years ago I was like, 'Who's going to play?' There was no one out there," Inkster said. "I'm quite pleased we have some good young players that can carry on that tradition. Younger players are stepping up. It used to be younger meant you were 25 or 26. Now it's 18 and 19."