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Golf Fans Worldwide Turn Their Attention Toward West Des Moines

Des Moines Golf and Country Club

One of the golfing world’s prime events is in West Des Moines this week. The biennial Solheim Cup pits the best professional female golfers in the U.S. against the best from Europe.

Planning for the international contest began four years ago when it was announced the Des Moines Golf and Country Club would be the 2017 site. Solheim Cup tournament director Chris Garrett has been in the area since then preparing for an event he expects to draw 30,000 spectators. He says he’ll take time to celebrate his team’s accomplishment in getting ready.

“We can sit back here on Friday morning with the bleachers full on the first tee going crazy and think we did a great job in bringing this thing to pass,” Garrett says.

He says he’s anxious to get the contest started.

“The golf course looks great, the build out looks great, and there’s a lot of excitement and buzz in the community," Garrett says. "I think it should be a great week for Des Moines and Iowa and everybody who shows up.

The first tee shots are scheduled for Friday morning. Twelve Americans will face 12 Europeans in the competition. Players include some of the game’s best: Christie Kerr, Paula Creamer and Michelle Wie.
 
Spectators will take shuttle buses to the course. The road running in front of the Des Moines Golf and Country Club will be closed to traffic.

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