Europe boasts long-hitting rookie Anne van Dam
It’s a proud day for Dutch golfer Anne van Dam and her family. She has been in Scotland all this week preparing to live her dream. Today she tees-off in the 16th edition of the Solheim Cup (13-15 September 2019) at Gleneagles representing the Netherlands as one of three rookies in the European Team.
The Solheim Cup is the ladies equivalent of the Ryder Cup in which two teams, Europe and America, do battle every two years. The format is matchplay with foursomes in the mornings and fourballs in the afternoons on Friday and Saturday. And while the atmosphere promises to be electrifying from the very first tee-shot on day one, the singles matches on Sunday, when all twelve team members play, are bound to bring out the best, and the beast, in the players.
Twenty-three year old Anne van Dam from Arnhem is only the second Dutch player ever to play in the Solheim Cup. She follows in the footsteps of Christel Boeljon who made her debut in biennial translatic match in 2011. And what a debut that was. The then 24-year old rising star from Beverwijk played a crucial role in Europe’s victory in Killeen Castle in Ireland. She produced a peach of an iron into the final green in her singles match on Sunday to secure her point for Europe and create a surge of confidence among her team which turned the tide in Europe’s favour. The hosts went on to beat America 15-13. A glorious victory and an historical moment for Holland’s first Solheim Cup player.
Back to 2019. Anne van Dam has had a stunning season to earn herself a place in the Solheim Cup team. And now she is playing alongside the likes of Carlota Ciganda (Spain), Suzann Pettersen (Norway) and Charlie Hull (England) at the iconic PGA Centenary Course Gleneagles.
Her Ladies European Tour ranking of 8th after just 6 tournaments is beginning to mirror the brilliance of Christel Boeljon. Oddly enough, Boeljon was also ranked 8th in the Ladies Order of Merit the year she played in her first Solheim Cup. Now that’s a good omen!
However, for Dutch golf fans the battle at Gleneagles is rather unfortunate timing as the 100th edition of the KLM Open is also taking place this week from Thursday, 12th to Sunday, 15th September. What a difficult choice! They’ll be torn between supporting Holland’s number one male golfer, Joost Luiten in his bid to win his third KLM Open title at The International GC near Amsterdam or cheering on Holland’s number one female golfer, Anne van Dam playing for Europe in Scotland.
Thankfully BBC television are covering the Solheim Cup with a great highlights programme each day. And Dutch fans not venturing to Amsterdam can watch the KLM Open action live on Ziggo Sport from the comfort of their armchairs.
My prediction on the women’s golf? Anne van Dam could well prove to be Europe’s secret weapon during this year’s Solheim Cup. Just please don’t tell the Americans! And, in Amsterdam, I have a strong feeling that a Spanish winner could well emerge on Sunday. Ooh, please don’t tell the Dutch!
Enjoy a weekend of great golf. And may the best team, and the best player win!
Wendy Hoad
MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: Anne van Dam playing at The International in Amsterdam in 2016. © Photography by Golfing Inspirations.