Solheim Cup crowds create rollicking atmosphere

It just wouldn't be the Indianapolis 500 without Jim Nabors singing "Back Home Again in Indiana," the release of thousands of balloons and the most famous command in all of sports, "Start your engines!"

That's what makes the race "the greatest spectacle in racing," if they do say so themselves.

The Kentucky Derby wouldn't be the same without the mint juleps, the big hats, the singing of "My old Kentucky Home" and the presentation of roses for the winning horse.

That's what makes the Derby "the greatest two minutes in sports," if they do say so themselves.

And it just wouldn't be the Solheim Cup if there weren't all those flags, the face painting, the banners, and the spontaneous songs by fans of both teams.

It's just that rollicking atmosphere - especially on the first tee - that makes the Solheim Cup, well, the Solheim Cup, and they do say so themselves.

"For people who have never experienced a Solheim Cup, it's unlike anything they've ever seen before," said Kelly Hyne, executive director of the 2009 Solheim Cup at Rich Harvest Farms. "The whole feeling on the property is one of patriotism and a lot of electricity.

"You'll hear chanting from across the course, "Go USA," or "Go Europe." You'll hear singing on the first tee - it adds a whole other element to it."

In other words, this isn't your run-of-the-mill golf tournament.

This is a spectacle.

"The atmosphere is awesome, absolutely electric," said Alison Nicholas, a former participant as a player and the captain of the 2009 European team. "The passion for playing for one's country will be seen and experienced.

"There's nothing better.

"It's a fantastic sporting occasion. It's like your final futbal games, the final's at Wimbledon - it's the same thing," Nicholas explained. "Particularly for the golfers. They usually play individually so now we're coming together as a team and that experience is something that most of them don't want to miss."

Included on that list is Gwladys Nocera of France.

"It's big for me," Nocera said. "Every year when it's Sunday (of Cup week), I think about the next one, think about making points to get in the next one. I think it's the same thing for the Americans.

"In Europe, it's a big thing to make the team. For us, it means a lot and we are very proud of it."

And you better believe they'll have a raucous cheering section of European fans supporting them.

"They're small but mighty," Hyne said. "You don't have as many as U.S. fans when it's in the states, but they're definitely more vocal. No matter who you are or where you came from, you like to show your nationalism.

"Just about everybody will have a flag in their hands or their cheeks painted or they'll be wearing the colors of their country - that just adds to the whole excitement."

Most of the players involved regularly bring family and friends to the Cup, making it a homecoming of sorts every two years.

"I'm trying to get a lot of people to come over - so far I've got about 10," Nocera said.

She knows they, along with everyone else at the tournament, will like what they see.

"I think it's the whole team thing. My first year when I stood up on the first tee and I was wearing the same shirt as Annika Sorenstam and Laura Davies, all these players I admire, it gives me goose bumps when I think about it," Nocera said. "It's the best. It's amazing. You have to come here to realize it."

Fans from the area who haven't been a part of a Solheim Cup are in for something special this week.

"From the minute they walk into the gate, they're going to hear it," Hyne said. "The minute the player walks from the putting green to the first tee, it's an uproar. It's something you don't see week in or week out."

"They're going to love it," Nicholas said.