JOANNE Morley is relishing the challenge of restoring European pride in the Solheim Cup.

The 41-year-old Sale tournament professional has been named as one of two assistants to captain Alison Nicholas for the biennial showdown against the United States.

She said: "We’ve lost the last two matches so we have a big score to settle.

"Ali is one of my oldest friends who gave me a lot of advice when I started playing in America 11 years ago. She knows she can sound things off on me and will get my total support.

"But she also knows that if she does something I don’t agree with I’ll certainly tell her. We’re out to win!"

Joanne was delighted but not completely taken by surprise when the former US Open champion asked her and Liselotte Neumann to become her "right-hand women" in Illinois on August 21-23 next year.

"I worked with her behind the scenes with her when she was vice-captain at Crooked Stick in 2005 because I was in America at the time. I think my appointment has stemmed from then," she said.

Joanne, who played in the 17-11 defeat at Chepstow resort St Pierre in 1996, said: "My main role leading up the match will not be watching established players such as Annika Sorenstam and Sophie Gustafson but potential new ones and see how they handle the pressure.

"I’ll be meeting up the Ali and Liselotte in the next couple of weeks to start doing the groundwork on bringing the cup back.

"Since our last victory in Sweden in 2003 we’ve been unable to get over the last hurdle. We need to fathom a way of doing it but it’s going to be tough because we’ve never won in America."

Joanne lost her LPGA Tour card last season and is hoping for invitations for play a few events in Europe while keeping tabs on the players.

"I’m thrilled that Lotta and Joanne accepted my invitation. Their combined Solheim Cup experience will be invaluable and will help to complement my strengths," said Alison, who made six cup appearances and was assistant captain to Catrin Nilsmark in 2003 and 2005.

The Solheim Cup is the women’s version of the Ryder Cup and was donated by Sale-born seedsman Samuel Ryder. And past captain Mark James and Joanne were also raised in Sale!

Joanne has a great commitment to help young golfers and has hosted the Joanne Morley Challenge Trophy at Sale for most of the past decade. The three top winners in the annual Joanne Morley Junior Challenge were given a real golfing treat as they were able to play with Joanne at her home course at Sale. Tour commitments had prevented Joanne from attending the competition at Sale last year but she promised the overall winner David Galletly (Upton-by-Chester), top boy George Seed of Cheadle and top girl Jade Evans to a match at her home club. Joanne and Jade, a regular for Cheshire girls, took on George and David in a BB match-play format which gave the youngsters a chance to play with probably the finest-ever lady player the North West of England has ever produced.

The two boys responded to the occasion by playing some superb golf to record a comfortable win. But all three impressed Joanne with the quality of their play, their relaxed temperament and course etiquette.

Joanne said: "All three played really well and have a great future in the game and the two boys were untouchable on the day with David showing the quality of play, for which he won the trophy.

"I would also like to thanks WGTB Golf for their help in organising the competition, Gill Hayes of Hookers Golf for her sponsorship, Sale Golf Club for hosting the competition and the challenge round and the Golf Foundation for their support."

Jade added: "It was great to play with someone of Joanne’s stature and she was very encouraging and helpful to us all and I will be working on some of the tips she gave me during the round."

To get your results in this report contact Geoff Garnett on 0161 881 7550 or email ggggarnett@aol.com.

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