We go behind the scenes and inside the ropes of the 2024 Solheim with Team Europe helper and our resident golf travel expert Breanne Loucks
The 2024 Solheim Cup is a memory I will never forget - it’s a stand out week, and up there with the top 10 greatest weeks of my life. The moment Mel [Reid] asked me to be her “buggy driver” I was very excited, but I can honestly say the whole experience exceeded my expectations…
My journey started in Manchester, a short flight to Dublin where I passed immigration “Pre-Clearance” - a fantastic service I would recommend. Dublin kickstarted the excitement, with a pint of Guinness in hand I managed to catch up with team member Leona Maguire before boarding. Obviously there was no chance of catching up on the plane, after all, players turn left, buggy drivers to the right!
Landing at Washington Dulles is where it all starts, walking off the plane you are greeted by official Solheim Cup staff, ready to help collect your bags and escort you to your private transfer.
Thankfully the transfer was only 20 minutes, I think Mel was getting sick of my giddy messages keeping her updated of my movements.
Very quick check-in and up to level 7 aka Team Europe’s floor, yellow and blue balloons decorated the corridors. Entering my room was like Christmas morning, completely spoilt with stunning team uniform, shirts, skirts, hats, even socks and trainers….and a very special welcome note from Captain Suzann Pettersen.
We gathered in the hotel team room that evening, players, captains, caddies, physios, trainers, nutritionist, helpers and LET staff - and from that moment we moved together as a unit, and we laughed (A LOT), sang, cheered, workout, danced, cried as a through the entire experience as a unit.
Monday - Thursday: Solheim Cup Preparation
We travelled as a team to the course on a large coach, with POLICE ESCORT! 30 police officers stopping traffic was a surreal experience.
The Robert Trent Jones Golf Club was like a postcard, I have never experienced facilities like it; driving range was like carpet, chipping and pitching area covered the same space as a large driving range - offering every shot imaginable. As for our TEAM EUROPE cottage, well, Suzann pulled out all the stops; chill out area with beanbags and recovery equipment, a gym, treatment room, and an outdoor seating area with personalised director chairs. It was the perfect space to prepare, recover and relax.
Practice days were not only for players, they were for buggy drivers as well. I was handed a set of keys to a “sick set of wheels”, a radio, a map and told to learn the route; that’s when the nerves kicked in. Prioritising the players, we made sure everyone was on the first tee ready for a few practice holes. Then Mel and I drove 1-18 to familiarise ourselves with the course, and work out the best shortcuts for match days.
With very little transport at the golf course, and large walking distances between practice and first tee, preparation was making sure the team and captains were where they needed to be, whether that be on the course, their preferred practice location, at a press conference or photo call or back at the cottage before heading home.
The evenings were spent at the hotel. Arriving back at our rooms we were greeted with more personalised gifts; such as suitcases, drinking bottles, onesies and messages from Captain Suzann. We gathered in our European Team room, had dinner together every night. There were plenty of games, table tennis tournaments (very popular) and a large screen with beanbags. The LET staff created inspirational videos with messages from other golfing legends like Thomas Bjorn. Some evenings we were joined by past captains, Catriona Matthews made a wonderful speech - the atmosphere and team spirit was thriving, the team was ready to go!
Friday - Saturday: Solheim Cup Go Time
The first two mornings were very early starts with 3.45am alarms! Takeaway coffee in hand, straight to our police escorted coach, although it was dark outside the coach was “vibing” - tunes blaring with disco lights.
Morning cottage ritual; keys, radio, and load up the buggies with water, electrolytes and snacks. While the players had breakfast and warmed up, the captains had their morning meeting to discuss the support plan for the day - which captains to cover which groups.
THE FIRST TEE!
This was an experience I had not prepared for, not that it is something anyone would be able to prepare for!
Although there was very little yellow & blue to be seen in the stands, the atmosphere was still incredible - goosebumps galore, and the adrenaline buzz was insane, I was shaking - how the players made contact with the ball is beyond me.
As a team we cheered, clapped, sang as loud as possible, and danced….A LOT!
Friday was a difficult start, but the girls didn’t seem phased by this - the atmosphere remained upbeat and strong. Saturday was the definition of digging deep. Stand out memory for me; in foursomes, Charley boomed a 315 yard drive down 18, followed by Esther’s pitch to gimme distance to win their match - it was controlled, perfection.
Behind the scenes...
I am sure people will appreciate that there were plenty of behind the scenes moments - most I cannot share for obvious reasons, but I will share one… On Saturday afternoon we had a predicament, one of the players wanted a specific fizzy drink - unfortunately this specific drink wasn’t on a buggy, wasn’t available in the team room, in fact wasn’t available on the Robert Trent Jones complex and the alternative brand was NOT an option….it was our job to help keep our players happy, so mission accepted!
This was probably the busiest the radios had been all week. We were going to have to get a car and leave the site to get this player her drink - bear in mind, she only had 6 holes left so time was of the essence! This then sparked a list of requests from the captains and helpers, most I cannot repeat, but as I was heading back to the cottage, it was rather embarrassing, driving through the crowds, while I hysterically laughed at the specific orders coming through on the radio.
Most people would say this is a ridiculous request and she would have to do without, but I kind of liked the idea of making her feel special - we were there to help, and I wanted her to know we were going to sort it…if this makes her win her point, we shall deliver!!
The specific drink was “acquired” (from the US team - how - I will leave to the imagination) and very quickly shipped out to said player. Of course in true superstar fashion, she delivered her point - mission complete!
Back at the hotel we all had a chuckle about it, especially the additional requests list.
Back to business, Saturday's evening meeting was filled with passion and belief. Before bed Suzann, Mel and I sat together and discussed the different scenarios - we agreed the task on Sunday was going to be difficult but certainly not impossible.
Sunday Singles - Exhilarating
A slightly later start, we arrived at the golf course in fashion - our music speaker on wheels blaring the song “Eiffel 65 - I’m Blue”.
The Captain's support strategy was confirmed - all captains on the first tee with match number one; Laura to see off the first three and support those, Mel with the next three, Caroline the next three and Suzann to cover the last three. There was a plan, the team atmosphere was superb, the players seemed pumped and ready for battle. Oh and not forgetting every buggy was equipped with a specific fizzy drink!
The crowds were full and they were VERY loud favouring the US team. It was a relatively slow start for team Europe, however Miss Hull was on FIRE! I didn’t manage to see any of her game, but caught her at the back of 14th green where she finished - 7 under - WOW, just WOW!
As we followed Anna [Nordqvist] and Maja [Stark] down 15 and 16 all of a sudden the golf course seemed strangely quiet. We had familiarised ourselves with the European cheers - and it seemed VERY European.
RADIO beeps - “It's very quiet guys, and I like it” said Suzann… “Yes, I like it a lot” copied Damo.
We heard Leona was on a birdie fest, and when her match point came in, Mel and I had calculated that we needed to win 4 from the last 5 matches left on the course.
Celine [Boutier] AS playing 18
Maja was AS playing 18
Albane [Valenzuela] was 2UP playing 17
Madeleine [Sagstrom] was 1UP playing 16
Linn [Grant] was 1DN playing 15
RADIO beeps - “We are going to do this girls, COME ON” Mel said.
Followed by “come on girls, COME ON” from the Captain!
Celine made a wonderful birdie to win, Maja made a clutch par to half, and Albane was looking good to win her match.
Mel, Carlotta [Ciganda] and I were given the job to go back to Linn and tell her “it’s down to you, you must turn it around” - imagine that pressure, but no not Linn, she was born for these moments, she was last out for a reason!
Stood to the side of 16 green, we cheered Linn’s shot, she had a good chance at birdie.
You could feel it - everyone believed we were going to do it, I looked at Captain Stacey - I even think she believed we were going to do it - it was exhilarating!
THEN BANG, just like that, Vu finished birdie, birdie to clinch the 1/2 point for USA to win. Just like that it was gone. Absolutely devastating!
In great sporting fashion the European players, captains, and support staff congratulated the US Team. It was painful to watch them celebrate, Europe had their finger tips on the trophy and I genuinely thought we were going to lift it - but wasn’t meant to be this time.
Emily [Pedersen] said “the best thing about Team Europe; regardless if we win or lose, we always stick together and party as a team”! There were tears, and sad faces - but the team soon picked themselves up, had a few beverages and danced the evening away.
My round-up!
I was lucky enough to watch the captains press conference in person, and Damo (Laura Davies) said - quote “it is probably the best women’s event in sport”… after taking some time to think of another sporting event like it, I have genuinely struggled, my conclusion… I completely AGREE with this, it is!
Being up close to these incredible women, both sides - players AND captains - was an honour. I was completely in awe and inspired by their dedication, determination, focus, skill, and courage.
The European Team may have lost, but those women are a force of nature, they are warriors…and I have no doubt they are going to come out all “clubs”blazing in 2026.
TOP TIP - Travelling to USA
When travelling to the USA I would certainly recommend transiting through Dublin, it takes around 15-30 minutes to get through pre-clearance versus 2-3hrs it can sometimes take stateside.
If you have any enquiries or have golf travel questions that you need answering, don't hesitate to contact me via email [email protected]
Women & Golf Members - don't forget you have a discount voucher you can use on your next golf travel break - find out more.