This Week at WorldGolf.com: August 31, 2005

A U.S. team that actually cares
about international competition

Paula Creamer, the fearless rookie who's changing the LPGA Tour even before Michelle Wie can get there, struck the biggest, boldest blow with a Joe Namath guarantee of U.S. victory. But it's apparent Creamer is not the only U.S. player who is actually taking the Solheim Cup seriously.

Somewhere in their mansions, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are wondering what the heck these crazy ladies are thinking. Because as Woods, Mickelson and the rest of Hal Sutton's 2004 Ryder Cup crew showed, the U.S. men look at international competition as something to be endured, not sweated. Their effort left the much-maligned Paul Casey right to rip their arrogant attitudes.

But apparently, the best U.S. women golfers hold a completely different view. They actually care about international bragging rights.

Let's face it, this is the Solheim Cup and Creamer and Co. are probably the only ones who do care. While Michelle Wie does not belong on the team (as TravelGolf.com blogger Jennifer Mario insists), there is no doubt her presence would have ratcheted up the interest level. As it is now, even the old farts and beer truck drivers on the Champions Tour are sure to draw more test pattern ratings than the Solheim.

Still, that's no one on the U.S. team's fault. And it does not change the fact they are bringing an admirable drive to the showdown with the Europeans that's long been missing from the American men.

It is apparent Annika Sorenstam, Laura Davies and the rest of the European team are going to have their hands full with Creamer firing birdies with her barbs. Natalie Gulbis, Cristie Kerr and the rest of Creamer's older, calmer, yet less-confident-on-the-golf-course teammates embraced her prediction. Having lost the Solheim by a record seven points in 2003, the U.S. women are clearly on a mission.

Tiger and the above-it-all U.S. men would be wise to follow this lead in Ireland next fall. Otherwise, the same European players who cannot win a major to save their lives are going to be dusting the more talented Americans in the Ryder Cup Matches yet again.

Sometimes, it takes a brash 19-year-old woman to show the way, to let everyone know that winning an international team competition still matters in a world of individual endorsement glory. Maybe, Phil Mickelson and everyone else can hold off on the equipment switches in Ryder Cup 2006. Maybe one of the American men will pull a Creamer and match Paul Casey's fire.

It's not likely. But there's hope in the Solheim determination.

As always, WorldGolf.com welcomes your comments.

Sandals Regency course
tighter than Uncle Harry's hat band

The Sandals Regency course was designed by Richard Colon, a man who never met a tight fairway he didn't like. Tighter than Uncle Harry's hat band, it's a claustrophobic little track that keeps your driver in the bag, or should. And while it many not compare to the St. Lucia Golf and Country Club course, at just $40 for 18 holes, it makes for a pleasant day of island golf, writes National Golf Editor Tim McDonald.

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Princeville on Kauai's north
shore: Tough golf, stunning layout

At Kauai's Princeville Resort the real star is the awe-inspiring view of the Pacific. There's a reason Dave Barry said this "is where people in heaven want to go when they die." In addition to great views, however, there are two fine golf courses: the rather plain Makai and the star of the Princeville show, the Prince course, which hugs the rugged coastline of the North shore. This golf course will take your breath away.

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Playing 18: How did golf
get to be so damn expensive?

How much should you pay to play on a quality golf course? National Golf Editor Tim McDonald says some courses have gone off the deep end with green fees, and its time for them to start being accessible to the plebeians. Enough already with the pretty flowers, fitness clubs and tennis courts - its time to start catering to the average golfer, who just wants to play a round of golf without mortgaging the house.

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