GAINESVILLE, Va. — The opening round of the Solheim Cup began Friday morning with half the stands surrounding the first tee at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club empty because transportation issues prevented fans from getting to the golf course.
Fans posted on social media that they had been forced to wait for hours in line for buses at Jiffy Lube Live, a concert venue near a golf course about 40 miles west of Washington, D.C.
“It's awful we were parked in the car park for 2 hours and only 200 yards from the front of the venue. I want a refund,” fan John Davidson wrote to X.
“I was in line for about an hour and I could only move 15 feet … and I was hoping to make it to the first tee in time.” Written by Jason Burstein.
Twenty minutes before kick-off, a small number of fans were seen hurrying towards the grandstands, but there were no record crowds. The organizers promised.
“We deeply apologize to fans affected by the difficulties of getting from parking to the golf course,” the LPGA said in a statement at X. “We are making significant changes to our transportation system to mitigate these issues going forward, and we are evaluating ways to convey our regret to those affected.”
Europe's Estelle Henseleitn, teaming up with Charlie Hull, took the first tee shot in the team match against the United States, followed by Alyssen Corpus, teaming up with top-ranked Nelly Korda, also from the United States.
Europe is seeking a record fourth consecutive Solheim Cup victory.
“Solheim is the LPGA's time to shine.” Beth Ann Nichols of GolfWeek wrote about X. “The highlight of the tour. A total disaster. One of the worst I've seen in 20 years covering tours.”
Players often say the opening tee shot at the Solheim Cup is more nerve-wracking than anything else in women's golf, and some of that tension is due to fans who fill the stands hours in advance to root for their hometown team.
A few hundred fans who arrived in time for the opening round on Friday morning kept quiet while the Europeans tee off but cheered throughout the Americans' tee shots — a departure from the golf etiquette players have come to embrace in team competitions.
— The Associated Press
