Birdies And Bogeys

SUGAR GROVE, Ill.-- The 2009 Solheim Cup had its fair share of splendid moments and its fair share of whiffs. Here's a look at who made a mark, good or bad.

BIRDIE: Beth Daniel. We scratched our heads over some of her decisions throughout the week, but she proved us all wrong. Her team kept the Cup on American soil. Mission accomplished. Enough said.

BOGEY: The rules officials. Where were the slow-play warnings when we really needed them? These girls were taking six hours to complete matches. I don't care if it's four-ball, that just can't be allowed.

BIRDIE: Michelle Wie. The controversial captain's pick emerged as the most brilliant U.S. player of the week. Her 3.5 points were unmatched by everybody but European Gwladys Nocera, and she is now the only Solheim alum with "undefeated" next to her name. Buckle your seat belts, everybody -- this could be the springboard to a remarkable career.

BIRDIE: Bo and B.J. Wie. For leaving their daughter alone all week and letting her get submerged in the spirit and camaraderie of this event.

BOGEY: Nicole Castrale. She may be celebrating with her team tonight, but she was the only player of the 11th Solheim Cup to go 0-3.

BIRDIE: Alison Nicholas. Yes, her team lost, but her captain's picks did well. And she had the guts to stand up to a grumpy, off-form Laura Davies.

BOGEY: Laura Davies. Don't whine to the TV cameras about not getting to play and then lose the last three holes of your singles match to hand the Americans an undeserved halve. We love you in the Solheim Cup, Laura, but Nicholas was right -- you're struggling with your game.

BIRDIE: Helen Alfredsson. Even if 44-year-old Alfie had lost every hole she played this week, her mere presence on the team earned her an automatic birdie. She will go down in history as the first-ever former captain to play her way back on a Cup roster. This woman has some serious grit. Sure, she ended up with a 1-3 record, but she fought every match to the end and kept clawing her way back when most others would have given up. And man, she hits a mean fairway wood.Â

BOGEY: Rich Harvest Farms. We can spend all night debating whether this is a great golf course or a horrible one, but we can all agree that it's not ideal as a tournament venue. Children and older people flock to the Solheim Cup, and it's cruel to make them walk an hour in very undulated terrain just to get to the 6th green.Â

BIRDIE: Christina Kim's golf ball. For surviving all the verbal abuse.

--Stina Sternberg