GAINESVILLE, Va. – There aren’t team rooms here at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. The two sides are enjoying the use of two sprawling cottages this week, which are situated next to the driving range.
Controversy is nothing knew to the Solheim Cup, however, and it seems that Team Europe’s digs, which are smaller than the USA’s, have caused a bit of a stir.
Jamie Weir from Sky Sports reported that the U.S. took issue with the fact that Europe had utilized some of the hitting bays in their cottage, which went against the rules written in the event’s contract. They also set up tables and chairs outside their cottage on the driving range, which also isn’t allowed.
https://twitter.com/SkySportsGolf/status/1833922875805303228
Stacy Lewis, when speaking with the press on Wednesday, downplayed the issue though she called the closeness of the two houses “awkward.”
“The inside of their cottage doesn’t have a lot of room for tables, so their tables have to be outside, said Lewis. “It was just our players were warming up, and they’re there eating breakfast and talking. We were just trying to get everybody some space so they didn’t have to listen to them eating breakfast. That’s all.
“There’s no bad beef. It’s just trying to, instead of having to listen to breakfast conversations.”
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Team USA has moved down to the far end of the range.
“Us coming on the U.S. soil, the U.S. gets to pick their team room before we do,” said Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist. “I don’t know if they’re happy with their choice, but we’re obviously very happy to be right there on the range.”
U.S. assistant captain Angela Stanford called it a non-story.
“I said to the girls this makes me feel good,” said Stanford. “Because if this is the best thing they’re coming up with, we’re doing great.
“Every time we play, they search for something to get them fired up, to get them unified.”