The 2023 Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin is finally here and both the European and United States teams are well underway in their preparations for the 18th playing of the biennial team event. As each squad took shape over the last few months, so did the finer details of the competition as Captain Lewis and Captain Pettersen had to narrow down their choices for player gifts, team uniforms and golf bag design. While the player gifts and team uniforms will obviously be different for the two teams, both will be carrying the same style of golf bag this year featuring a new, innovative technology provided by Dow called LuxSense™.
While Lewis wanted to include the number 88 on the golf bags, but was unable to as they were already well into production at the time the decision was made, she did elect to feature 88 on all of the U.S. team’s headwear as a way to honor the late Kathy Whitworth who is the winningest professional golfer in history, capturing 88 titles on the LPGA Tour, and who served as the U.S. captain at the first playing of the Solheim Cup in 1990. Whitworth passed away on Christmas Eve last year at age 83. Her death was a surprise to many who had just seen the LPGA Tour legend a few months earlier at the 2022 Ascendant LPGA benefitting the Volunteers of America so Lewis, like she did with Spork, also wanted to recognize her contributions to the women’s game in a similar way.
“Kathy Whitworth also passed away pretty suddenly, and so I wanted to honor her as well. We put her 88 wins on our hats for all the players because she was our first U.S. Solheim Cup captain. Kathy was actually making plans to come in to try to be here. Just (wanted) to try to honor those women that paved the way for us and give us this opportunity to compete in event like this.”
About Kathy Whitworth Foundation
Kathy Whitworth Foundation is a Fort Worth-based 501(c)(3), celebrating Kathy Whitworth’s legendary career by supporting participation in junior girls golf. The foundation is committed to inspiring young women to embrace confidence, strong values, and responsibility, which will in turn provide opportunity to develop leadership and sportsmanship skills for life-long success. To learn more, visit https://kathywhitworthfoundation.org
About Kathy Whitworth Invitational Junior Girls Championship
Established in 1999, the Kathy Whitworth Invitational Junior Girls Championship draws some of the best junior girl golfers in the world to Fort Worth each spring. Since its inception, the tournament has been conducted in concert with the ideals of the USGA: to promote love of the game while building confidence, character, leadership, sportsmanship and responsibility. Tournament entry acceptance is based on playing ability and merit. Many Kathy Whitworth Invitational alumnae have played in college and the LPGA, including Paula Creamer, Morgan Pressel, Nelly Korda, Jessica Korda, Christina Kim, Jane Rah, Brittany Lang, Rachel Heck and many more. In addition to elevating junior girls golf, the tournament benefits local charities in Tarrant County. For more information, visit https://kathywhitworthinvitational.com/.
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