The winning United States team after the inaugural Handa Cup match against a World team.

HANDA CUP FOR OVER-45s WILL GROW, JUST LIKE SOLHEIM CUP

By LISA D MICKEY
+Staff writer for the LPGA & Duramed Futures Tours

The inaugural Handa Cup had a lop-sided start with the United States team posting a 27 to 11 victory over the World Team at St Augustine, Florida at the weekend.
But, reminiscent of the first Solheim Cup back in 1990, in which the US side defeated Europe 11.5 to 4.5, the first edition of the Handa Cup ended with a future sponsorship promise and a call for the World Team to bolster its talent.
"I was there for the first year of the Solheim Cup and the score was lopsided, too," said US Team member and World Golf Hall of Famer Patty Sheehan, "But like the Solheim Cup, this event is going to grow and strengthen every year we play. And just like the Solheim Cup, the players will get younger, as I get older."
AGED 45 & OVER
The inaugural contest between 11 players from the U.S. and 11 players from around the world was an official event of the Legends Tour, the LPGA's official tour for women professionals age 45 and over.
And it was an event sponsored by Japanese businessman Haruhisa Handa, who vowed to bring the event back to Florida in 2007. And while Handa, also an opera singer, kicked off the week at the opening ceremonies serenading players and guests with an operatic baritone version of "Danny Boy" in English and "O Sole Mio" in Italian, it was his promise to continue sponsorship that proved to be music to the ears of this year's participants -- many of whom have scaled back or ended LPGA Tour careers.
"I don't think it's the competition that builds the event right now," said U.S. Team member Jane Geddes, who won today's first singles match 3 and 2 over World Team member Anne-Marie Palli of France. "It's the players. People came out to see some of these great players they used to follow for years."
with a balky putter.
"Our team played great," said U.S. Team captain Kathy Whitworth. "But we had some Hall of Famers on our side, some former Solheim Cup players and players who have known each other for years, so that's got to be an advantage."
LAURA DAVIES & CO
At least for this year's inaugural Handa Cup. But members of the World Team are already counting birthdays for future team members entering their 40s. Down the road, they envision players like Alison Nicholas, Laura Davies, Liselotte Neumann and Helen Alfredsson playing the Legends Tour and joining their side.
And just as the Solheim Cup has given the best players from the US and Europe something to look forward to, the newly-minted Handa Cup seems poised to offer 40-somethings a place to play with plenty of bragging rights up for grabs.
For more information, visit www.thelegendstour.com and www.LPGA.com.