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Don't change anything, say both USA and GBI Curtis Cup captains

- PA Sports

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (PA) -- Both current Curtis Cup captains have rejected calls for the competition to mimic the Ryder Cup and become a USA vs. Europe clash.

America won the biennial tournament against Great Britain and Ireland for the sixth time in a row over the Old Course at St Andrews on Sunday. And it is widely acknowledged that the majority of Europe's leading female amateur golfers these days are from the continental Europe.

In last year's Vagliano Trophy match at St. Andrews Bay, the Continent beat GB&I by a record margin, and some pundits see the Curtis Cup being at the same one-sided stage as the Ryder Cup was before it became a Europe team that took on the States.

"I don't think a Europe vs. United States Curtis Cup match would have the same impact," said GBI Captain Mary McKenna. "It's very important that we keep it the way it is, especially for GB&I, because it gives the girls something to focus on, something to strive for selection to.

"The Curtis Cup is a stepping stone for the future," she added. "It is difficult to be selected for the GB&I team. So personally I would hope it would never change."

USA skipper Carol Semple Thompson, who has played or been team captain in more Curtis Cup matches than any other player on both sides of the Atlantic, agreed.

"I like the tradition of playing against Great Britain and Ireland," she said. "I can understand they might be a little frustrated at this point since the States have now won six matches in a row.

"But even though I think our level of play was fantastic, all the games over the last three days have been well fought," she added.

"There's plenty of talent on both sides to make it a good match. So I would definitely cast my vote on the status quo."

The United States won 13-7 Sunday at the end of an historic match -- the first to be held over the Old Course and the first to be played over three days with four-ball matches incorporated.

A crowd of 4,800 watched the final day's play in the worst weather of the three days -- wet, windy and cold. The total crowd for the match was 13,600.

The 2010 Curtis Cup match is set for Essex Country Club, Mass. Nairn Golf Club in northern Scotland will play host in 2012.

Copyright 2008 PA Sport. All rights reserved.

 
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