Solheim Cup - Oh It's On!

While it has taken a while for our summer golfing season to heat up, the temperature is about to go higher with the first area visit of the LPGA in many years at the 2009 Solheim Cup at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove starting August 17.

The Solheim Cup is a biennial, trans-Atlantic team match-play competition featuring the best U.S.-born players from the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour and the best European members from the Ladies European Tour.

Fans can enjoy a variety of options when it comes to viewing the 2009 Solheim Cup, the most prestigious team-event in women's professional golf. Individual practice day tickets for Wednesday and Thursday (Aug. 19-20, 2009) are available for $25 (Grounds) while individual competition day tickets for Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 21-23, 2009) are available for $50 (Grounds).

Parking is $5 and there is no need for shuttle buses - just walk across the road to the main entrance.

Single day tickets for the event are now available for purchase only at the Solheim Cup entrance gates.

Thursday, Aug. 20 will be Military Appreciation Days at the 2009 Solheim Cup. Anyone with a valid military ID will receive free admission to Rich Harvest Farms on Aug. 20.

This is also a great opportunity to see one of the top courses in the Chicagoland area. Rich Harvest Farms is a private course that started as the dream of Jerry and Betty Rich and is ranked #46 in the country by Golf Digest.

In 2004, when LPGA Commissioner Ty M. Votaw announced the awarding of the 2009 event to Rich Harvest Farms Votaw said "The LPGA is excited to bring the The Solheim Cup to such a challenging and beautiful venue, and we are thankful to Jerry Rich for inviting us to Rich Harvest Farms and allowing us to stage one of the biggest sporting events in women's golf in his backyard."

"We look forward to not only showcasing some of the best players in one of the most spirited competitions in the world, but also to showcasing one of the finest courses in the country", Votay added.

"(Rich Harvest Farms) is very spread out" said Juli Inkster who is making her record eighth Solheim Cup appearance for the U.S. Team. "(Jerry Rich) has a lot of different things. He has a car warehouse, he's got a horse farm, he's got a plantation house. He's got the rooms we're staying in, plus he's got a clubhouse. He's got a lot of property."

Sounds like the U.S Team is enjoying their stay in Chicago's Far Western Suburbs.

"He's got three or four ponds out there that are stocked with fish," added Inkster who owns the all-time record in Solheim Cup history for most points earned in singles competition. "So it's kind of like a vacation retreat, so you can do pretty much whatever you want."

While the teams are able to enjoy the amenities of Rich's creation, spectators have the rare opportunity to see this incredible facility as well.

"We had our opening party last night at a car museum that had these amazing cars," said Natalie Gulbis, an eight-year LPGA Tour veteran who is making her third appearance on the U.S. Solheim Cup Team. "And then it's got this great golf course, too. It's really beautiful, this whole area. Everywhere you look it's just really, really pretty."

While Rich Harvest is a 'pretty' course, it is also one of the most demanding courses in the Chicagoland area and one many may never get to play.