Stacy Lewis Talks Solheim Cup and the End of an Era

The Solheim Cup is the single most important Cup competition in women's golf.  In this biennial competition, the United States women have competed against the best women from Europe since 1990.  The US hold a 10 - 7 advantage over their European counterparts, but the European team are the defending champions and will have "home field" advantage as the 2023 event will be hosted at Finca Cortesina Golf Club near Malaga, Spain.   

Stacy Lewis will captain the 2023 US Women's Team against Team Europe being captained by Suzann Petersen, the perennial nemesis of the American team.  Always an engaging and thoughtful person, Stacy discusses her preparations for the 2023 competition, her assistant captains, and her goals for the team, including of course, winning the Solheim Cup back for the United States.  

With the completion of the Chevron Championship at the Dinah Shore course at Mission Hills, it marked the end of an era as the venerated event moves to the greater Houston area for 2023.  As a past champion of the event and a leading figure in women's golf, Stacy shares her experience of playing at Mission Hills, what the event meant for the development of women's professional golf, and her thoughts on how the LPGA tour has evolved since her rookie year in 2009. 

Stacy is a former World No.1, she has won 13 times on tour, including 2-major championships.  She won the Vare Trophy twice, in 2013 and 2014,  The Vare trophy is awarded to the player with the season's lowest scoring average.  She also won the Rolex Player of the Year award twice in 2012 and 2014, while also winning the LPGA Money Title in 2014.  

Transcript

Douglas Maida: 0:28

Good afternoon and welcome to our show -- We'reTalking Golf. My name is Douglas Maida, and I'm your host. The Solheim Cup is the most important Cup Challenge in women's golf in terms of its history, and prestige. The biennial competition pits the United States against the Europeans, and has been held 17 times since 1990, with the United States holding a 10 to 7 lead over Europe. However, with the 2023 event, being held at the Finca Cortesin golf club near Malaga in southern Spain, the European team will be the defending champions having won the last two times. Now joining us today will be the captain of the US team, Stacy Lewis. We'll be discussing her appointment as the captain. But before we get to our guest, we're going to take a very short break. So please stay with us. Welcome back to our show, and thank you for staying with us. Our guest today is Stacy Lewis. She's the captain of the US Solheim Cup team that will be competing in 2023. At the Finca Cotesina course in southern Spain. Many of you will know Stacy as a player on the LPGA she joined the LPGA in 2009. In that time, she has recorded 13 wins, two of which are major championships. She has won the LPGA money list once she has won the VARE trophy twice in 2013 and 2014. The VARE trophy is presented to the player with the lowest scoring average on the season. Further, she has won the Rolex Player of the Year Award twice in 2012, and again in 2014. She's also a former world number one ranked player and she has been a member of the biennial Solheim Cup team from 2011 through to 2017. Stacy's joining us by zoom from her home near Houston, Texas. They welcome to the show, Stacy.

Stacy Lewis: 4:04

Thank you. Thanks for having me.

Douglas Maida: 4:06

Oh, it's a pleasure. We're pleased to have somebody of your caliber and stature on the show. So we're very excited.

Stacy Lewis: 4:11

Well, thank you. I appreciate that.

Douglas Maida: 4:15

Stacy, the chevron championship just ended. And before we get into the Solheim cup discussion, I wanted to ask you about that because it was originally known as The Dinah Shore classic. It's been the second longest running major and women's golf. Can you share with us a little bit about what this event means to the development of women's golf and maybe to yourself personally being a past champion?

Stacy Lewis: 4:35

Yeah, I mean, I guess I start for me personally, you know, it was it was really first as an amateur where I kind of figured out I can play professional golf and I can compete with these girls and then and then to get my first one there. I mean, it really has a special place to me and my heart, the tournament, the golf course. I mean everything about it. So but for the tour, I mean it is it's massive. I mean, this was where, you know, kind of the purse increases really started when you go back to Colgate. And, and and then stepping up to, to make it the championship that it is I mean, it's funny, you know, each generation, you know, the generation before me knows that tournament is the Dinah Shore to me, it's always going to be the Kraft Nabisco because that's what it was for most of my plane. And for the generation after me, it's the ANA. And now this generation, it's going to be the Chevron. So, so it's had a lot of different names. But, but really, it hasn't changed, you know, and, and it's going to change next year with the venue change and all that but, but what's important is that the, the tournament is continuing, and we're getting it on par with the rest of our majors.

Douglas Maida: 5:45

Great. That's wonderful. Yeah,I'm dating myself a little bit, because I'm probably a decade older than yourself, Stacy. And I remember when Dinah Shore was on TV, and she had her daytime show, and she was out there, and we do some of the live spots or spots from the golf course when she was promoting it. So that was actually, truth be told, that's my first introduction to the LPGA.

Stacy Lewis: 6:07

That's awesome. And that's, that's a lot of people's, you know, a lot of people say, you know, if they know the LPGA, they know about the jump in Poppy's pond, you know, that that's they know about that tradition. So. So it is it's it is definitely a little bit sad to be leaving Mission Hills.

Douglas Maida: 6:23

Yeah. But Houston. Now, I understand that's your hometown,

Stacy Lewis: 6:27

I grew up just north of Houston. live I live in College Station now, a little bit north of north of the city. But But yeah, it's coming closer to home. And I've been a part of, you know, trying to help with the transition and, and making sure we do this thing, right?

Douglas Maida: 6:43

Oh, good, good, good. Because I think that's kind of what everybody's hoping that, you know, going from a permanent location like that, to kind of bring the traditions with it, and the feel of being the first major on the LPGA calendar.

Stacy Lewis: 6:57

For sure, you know, we're gonna, we're gonna take as many of the traditions as we can, you know, I think it's such an important one that so many, so many little girls, like myself have dreamed of jumping in into that pond. And, you know, we've got to keep the traditions alive, but as well, as you know, continuing to make this a major championship.

Douglas Maida: 7:18

Stacy, let's shift gears slightly before I get into the Solheim Cup. I mean, I could probably chat with you all day. And I know you have a busy schedule. So you're a little bit of a, and forgive me for saying this, but you're a little bit now one of the veterans on tour? How have you seen the evolution of the LPGA since you've become a rookie?

Stacy Lewis: 7:42

Um, it's changed a lot. You know, I go back to I think it was my rookie year, or a couple years, even my rookie year 2009, 2009, 10, 11. I mean, we, we hardly had any events, we had 23 events, I think it was our low point. We're up to 34 now and playing for a ton of money. You know, so So from that side, it's changed. It's also changed, the game has changed a lot itself. You know, these girls are just bombing it and hitting it far, just like the men's game, you know, so the game itself has changed a lot with technology, the golf ball goes straighter. So you can just swing hard, and it's not going to go very far offline. So. So a lot has changed, you know, that it's, you know, it still comes down to making putts and things like that, but, but I think a lot has changed for the better.

Douglas Maida: 8:31

Yeah, that's wonderful. Yeah, I was gonna say the women's game was a little bit behind the men's game in terms of the distance, the distance coming into the game. And wow some of those gals you see it now just, you know, like on the weekend, 300 plus yards, I mean,

Stacy Lewis: 8:48

It is and it's effortless. You know, it doesn't look like they're swinging that hard, but yet the ball is going that far. So so it's just a testament to you know, how the courses are being set up. And, you know, you can kind of let it rip.

Douglas Maida: 9:01

Yeah. The athleticism and the development of golf players, as athletes, yeah.

Stacy Lewis: 9:07

For sure you're seeing girls are girls are taller, they're more they're stronger than more athletic a lot. Girls are a lot more in the gym now than they used to be. I think, you know, I've always had to work out because of my back and kind of keeping things in shape. But, you know, I was probably one of the few when I first came on tour that was in the gym quite a bit. And now, now it's a normal thing. So, you know, these girls are taking it more seriously. And the results are showing.

Douglas Maida: 9:35

Yeah, yeah, it's been a fantastic watch over the past several years. Stacy at 36 years of age. You're the youngest ever captain of the Solheim Cup team for the United States. How overwhelming is that honor?

Stacy Lewis: 9:52

I wouldn't say it's overwhelming. I mean, it's I was a little bit of a shock to realize how how much younger I am than the other captains, I think Patty, Patty Sheehan was maybe 45 when she did it. And I think it's going to be more common as we go forward. Just because just the age of your potential captains, you're going to have more that are playing, like I'm doing, and kind of later on in their careers. So it's such an honor, though, just, you know, to go through that list, you know, of those ladies that came before me that had this honor, and that they picked me. You know, I think that's the coolest thing about this is the past three captains get together, and they decide who the next one's going to be. And, and they picked me they, you know, and I talked to each one of them after, after I got the call. And, you know, they all said, you're ready, you know, you've seen it from both sides, you're ready to do this, and, and they have a lot of confidence in me. And so just kind of just helps me feel more ready, more ready to do it.

Douglas Maida: 10:51

And that's got to feel very rewarding that your peers like that have looked down on you as, not looked down I mean, but looked at you as being a natural successor.

Stacy Lewis: 11:00

Oh, yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. You know, I think I look back and, you know, Juli (Inkster) was probably getting me ready for this six, seven years ago. You know, she kind of brought me in on pairings. And I always feel like I've kind of been a good person, kind of reading people and kind of knowing people. And so she brought me in to help with pairings helped me with this, I helped with the singles lineup in Germany, you know, I mean, that was 2015. So, you know, so they, they've been getting me ready. And, you know, I think as a captain, you know, now I'm thinking, Okay, who's next? You know, who's gonna be coming next? Who do I need to help get ready and kind of do the same thing with?

Douglas Maida: 11:38

But it does present an interesting conundrum. You're playing pretty good. You're on the Solheim cup. Points list. Come this time next year, if you qualify automatically. Have you made it? Do you have a point in mind where you think that okay, I will play or I won't play or anything like that of that nature?

Stacy Lewis: 12:00

Yeah, you know, I've talked to I talked about a little bit with Morgan, my assistant already, and she agrees to that, you know, if I, we need the best 12 players there. And so if I qualify our points, or Rolex rankings, I'm going to be one of the 12. You know, I just I have to play at that point. I don't think I would pick myself as a pick, but But I do think if I qualify, I probably need to play you know, that means that means I've one of the best 12. And we need to take our best team there. And, and, you know, I have, you know, yes, it'll be a hard week. It'll be a tired week, but I think there's a way to do it. And I'm gonna have some really good people around me that are gonna help me do it if it comes to that.

Douglas Maida: 12:44

Right. Right. Well, you're already thinking about that kind of situation. So, you know, you've got a year and a bit to get all the systems in place and everything worked out. Just as an aside, are you thinking would you bring your daughter and family next year?

Stacy Lewis: 12:59

Oh, absolutely. You know, she, I have my daughter came with me to last year Solheim in in Ohio. And she had a blast just running around with the girls. And I will one point, you know, they had her in the little, they had a little photo booth, and they were holding her in the photo booth taking pictures with her. So she had so much fun, just that time you get as a team and in the team room and running around the hallways of the hotel. You know, I know the girls, the girls loved having her there. So she will definitely be there. My husband's gonna be there to support. My parents already said they're coming. So we have a lot of people there. And, you know, I also have, you know, a lot of people that have helped me along the way, my Swing Coach, my caddy, have them there just to be as helpers for the team and, you know, be be another set of eyes for me.

Douglas Maida: 13:49

Yeah, that'll be very helpful to know what's you mentioned, Morgan. And, of course, you recently had an announcement a couple of weeks ago that Morgan was going to be your assistant captain, and she's the first one that you've announced. Did you want to elaborate a little bit more on how you see her fitting in and how she's going to complement you and the team?

Stacy Lewis: 14:11

Yeah, you know, I I knew after last year Solheim that my name was being thrown around in the mix. And I kind of was panicking, like, who would I pick as an assistant and before this was before I was even picked as the captain and Morgan was honestly the first person I thought of, you know, she's somebody I've played a lot of golf with our we've, you know, kind of been on tour at the same time. You know, I love I've always loved her competitiveness and the fire that she played with, especially at Solheim cups. I mean, she was unbelievable at soul handcuffs. And so, you know, just really want to get that good, good energy around and, you know, again, somebody that I trust, I trust her opinion, I think, you know, I do think the girls respect her as well and I love that. I love that she's doing it while she's not She's still doing TV. So she's around, she's going to be watching a lot of golf. She's going to be looking at stats and all those kinds of things. And so she's going to be really helpful when it comes to pairings and, and things like that.

Douglas Maida: 15:12

Yeah, actually, that's a that's a very good point you raised there. She's gonna see a lot of that from her vantage point now, so

Stacy Lewis: 15:19

Oh, yes. Oh, yes.

Douglas Maida: 15:21

Take a little bit of. . . lessen a little bit of the pressure of you with your notebook.

Stacy Lewis: 15:26

Yes, yes. No, the notebook is filling up pretty quick. But it you know, right now, we're just we're working on, you know, kind of behind the scenes stuff and trying to make sure, like I said, get the right people around us clothes and all the gear that we need to get. So we're not really to the parents part yet. Probably more of a next year thing once we see the team kind of starting to fill out a little bit.

Douglas Maida: 15:49

That's an interesting question and point you raised for me. How much of the organizational aspects of the Solheim Cup team falls on the captain, assistant captains in terms of things? Like you just mentioned, the gear, the equipment? The apparel line? I mean, is that something that you all that all falls down on to you? Or do you have any assistance from the LPGA?

Stacy Lewis: 16:09

Or? Yeah, I do. I have a team of people with the LPGA that are that are helping me with all of it, but But what I learned pretty quickly is whatever the captain wants in this, that's what you do so. So I'm going to basically have my hand in on everything. Whether it's picking out the clothes, or designing the clothes, what the head covers look like what the bag looks like. What posters and what decorations are up in the team room? What decorations are in the rooms, gifts, the caddy stuff? I mean, everything kind of falls under, under me, but then I have people that will help do that stuff and get it done. So. So it if when you say it like that, it seems like a lot, but it doesn't feel like a lot right now. And so we're moving in the right direction. So we're, we're excited. Yeah.

Douglas Maida: 17:01

Yeah, that's sounds like it for sure. And I think you've got the benefit of it -- they've announced you as Captain so far, in advance, or enough time in advance that you can not feel overwhelmed by this, like you would if it was, say announced next year?

Stacy Lewis: 17:15

Oh, yes, for sure. I mean, in that, and the LPGA. You know, they've, they've been great, because they understand that they know, I'm still playing and they want to be respectful of that, too. And so, so they've been great so far. And, you know, we're, we're working on a couple getting another assistant announced here pretty soon and hopefully get rolling with some of the other stuff.

Douglas Maida: 17:37

We're gonna take a short break. Before I get to that Stacy, I want to ask you, because you just mentioned it. You're coming up to the possibility of announcing another assistant captain? Yes. What kind of timeline did you have in mind in terms of numbers and timeline to announce them?

Stacy Lewis: 17:55

Well, you can have up to three, you don't have to have three, you can have three. And this other person was is somebody that she's already said? Yes. So she's already agreed to it. But just somebody that, again, I've really trusted throughout my career. She's been a great friend of mine. And she immediately said, Yes, I didn't even have to twist her arm. So. So we'll announce it here. And probably in the next few weeks, or probably in the next month and a half or so as my guess we'll get that announced. And then on the third one, you know, I'm actually going to wait a little bit and kind of see, see how the team kind of falls together and see, you know, what, what I need, what kind of personality, what kind of person I need in that role, and then go from there. So that one, that third one will probably be next year sometime, because if it does come to the possibility of me playing, I'm definitely going to need a third assistant. So so that'll be something we do next year.

Douglas Maida: 18:52

Okay, excellent. So we'll be back shortly. And when we do, we'll pick right up and I'd like to chat with you a little bit about some of the things, what your plans might be for taking the team forward.

Stacy Lewis: 19:04

All right, sounds good.

Douglas Maida: 20:08

We're back. Thank you for staying with us. Now. Our guest today is Stacy Lewis. And we're talking Solheim cup 2023. Stacy, in response to being named captain of the team, at one point, you stated that you believed that the time was right for both you and the team, that you step in and fill that role. Can you share with us a little bit about what you meant by that?

Stacy Lewis: 20:29

Yeah. So you know, I was I was a been a part of the last six Solheim cups playing or captaining or assisting whatever you want to call it. So. So I've seen it, you know, I've seen this when we've kind of been on a bad streak of not winning these last couple. And, and especially the last one, I saw a lot of areas that I thought we could be better, that I think Pat's struggled a little bit relating to the players, just being a little being a little bit more removed from the tour and, and with COVID, she wasn't able to travel as much as she would have liked and be at events. So. So I don't, I don't think Pat got a fair kind of a fair shake it really in, in what she was able to do. So, you know, the timing was right, you know, me personally, just at a good point in my life, where I felt ready for it. But I also feel like I know, these players, and I can relate to them. And, you know, and what we did, you know, say should be about 12 years ago, is my first Solheim cup. So what we did those 1012 years ago, is not going to work with these current players, current players are different, you know, every every generation is different. Everybody, you have to evolve with them. And, and we can't do everything the same that as we've always done it, you know, we've got to switch things up a little bit and adapt to these girls and, and help them be successful. So. So I have a lot of ideas, and I've seen it from both sides. And you know, just more than anything I think being able to relate to the players is is going to be really, really helpful.

Douglas Maida: 22:08

It was written somewhere that your early priorities for the team and the competition included laying a foundation for future captains so that there's no need to reinvent the wheel.

Stacy Lewis: 22:19

Right.

Douglas Maida: 22:20

Would you share with us what your thoughts are on that? And what it might look like?

Stacy Lewis: 22:24

Yeah, it's, uh, you know, and that's more working with the LPGA team that we have in place of, you know, we've created a calendar of when kind of certain things need to be done. And, you know, trying when we're going to have meetings as a team, and when me and my assistants are going to have meetings, just kind of setting more of a blueprint of you can do this and still play, because I think that is one thing that could potentially turn some people away, of being captain in the future is there say, oh, no, I don't want to do it yet. I'm still playing. And so if we can kind of just create more of a blueprint of how things are going to work and, you know, when we start doing clothing, and how that how that all falls in together that you know, I really think it's possible and I hope more girls see that for the future that you can you can be captain in and continue to play if that's what you want to do.

Douglas Maida: 23:16

Right? Yeah, I agree with you, I think that's gonna, you're going to start seeing younger and younger captains

Stacy Lewis: 23:21

Exactly, on both sides. European side too, as well. So

Douglas Maida: 23:26

There was a quote by another reporter, I'd like to share it with you and then ask your thoughts about it. You're quoted as saying, "How can I make," as part of one of your goals is "how can I make the environment really positive, really fun, and make the girls really be a team and care about each other." Do you have any thoughts ideas as to how you're going to try and make that team environment really positive and really fun.

Stacy Lewis: 23:48

Um, you know, I have to win the team room ultimately. And, you know, I kind of realize that with this with this generation as they, they are there, they're about having fun, they want to go have fun, they want to hang out their friends, we got to have the a lot a ton of games and TVs and music and just fun stuff for them to do in the team room, ping pong tables and, you know, as if I can keep them in that team room as long as possible. Then I did my job, you know, if they're running off to their rooms to go hide out, then I didn't do my job. So you know, I think you know, keeping things loose, I'm we're going to communicate really well, where they're going to know what the schedule is going to be every day and how it's all going to work. You know, they really want to be a part of things is what I've kind of already talking to them. You know, they want to be a part of the pairings, they want that open communication, which I think is great, you know, they they own schooling, they know their games the best, they know who they're going to play well within so so we're just have that open line of communication. I'm going to be honest with them and they know that about me, I'm just pretty straight shooter. I don't sugarcoat things. I'm honest when I need To be in, and I think I think that is going to be helpful to them. You know, there's times where I have to tell them no, you know, they're not going to get everything that they want. But, you know, also being a mom and I have a three year old that I have to take care of, you know, I have to she hers know a lot. So, and I'm okay saying that so. So just I mean, everything I've been through in my life, you know, I've I can relate to these girls, you know, I say, I've been number one in points going into it. I've qualified kind of four or five. I've been close on points. I've been a pick. I've not been a pick, you know, I've been all spectrums of this, this Solheim Cup thing? So. So I really, I've been there. I know what it's like to stress out those last two months leading up to Solheim Cup and trying to make the team and, you know, just try to stay away and let the girls play.

Douglas Maida: 25:54

Well, on that point, about involving the players and whatnot, and the team room, there's been a lot of talk, or plenty of talk in recent years about a pod system being used by the American teams, you know, originally started with the discussion around the Ryder Cup team. And for better or worse, I guess one could say that Juli and company have had that as part of the Solheim Cup. I mean, whether it was formal or informal or not. How much of that thinking will be part of your strategy moving forward? Or are you thinking that you might just do something a little bit more ad hoc or?

Stacy Lewis: 26:28

Well, I like the pod system, just from the fact from as a player, you kind of you know, like, these three people are, that's potentially who I'm going to play with. But I don't like it as a captain, because you're really limited on your pairings. If somebody tight, gets hurt, or isn't playing well, it's really hard to move people around and kind of shift people in there. So not necessarily, I mean, I like the concept of it, because I do think there are, there are certain people that you know, will never play together, you know, they're on their personalities are on opposite ends of the spectrum, they're never going to play together. So I see it kind of more as a six and six type thing, where you're, where you can be more flexible as well with their practice time. Because that's, I think that's one thing that has not helped the girls prepare as well is being told, Hey, we're buses leaving at seven. And we're coming back at two. And this is when you have to practice and you know, not everybody prepares the same, some people like to stretch and do a workout. And then they go play at 10 or 11 o'clock. And some people like to get up even earlier than seven play so so we're going to try to put some more flexibility in their practice times as well. Just to help them prepare better. And so I think with a six and six, you can do that a little bit more where to be a twosome can go out and play and then a foursome could go out and play. So so we're going to look at that. And that's something I've talked to the girls about and get their feedback, but I really think it will help them make the week feel more like a normal tournament week for them.

Douglas Maida: 28:06

Right. Now, one of the things that I've that has been said of the US teams both on the men's side and on the women's side is the teams are great when it comes to single player traditionally has been, you know, the strength has been singles play four ball has been pretty even. But it's the foursomes that seems to be the Achilles heel. Yeah, how much of, or are you going, Is there a lot of thought going into how you're going to make that work? And I guess that's a big point of where you're going to be talking with the players about you know, who's playing styles tend to work together and mesh together. So, you know, when you do get a sticky point you can have confidence that your partner's gonna get you out of it.

Stacy Lewis: 28:44

Yeah, I mean, a lot of it like you said, his playing style and who they're comfortable with. I mean, some players aren't if their partner hits it in the rough, some players just aren't comfortable or there used to just hit the fairways all the time. So a lot of times I think your your foursomes, your those players, they're pretty adaptable. They can kind of play with anybody, but I think most importantly, they're good putters, and I think as a team, we've got to become better putters, ultimately, because that's, you think about any kind of match play event. That's even like a USA amateur or anything like that. Good planning is what wins it so so that's, you know, something I'm, you know, I've said a lot and I'm going to keep encouraging the girls to keep getting better and, and, you know, like, I love seeing Jennifer Kupcho win last week, you know, getting the experience of having to make putts down the stretch, you know, that's, that's what's going to serve and make her better as a golfer and it's going to help us and Solheim cup so would love to see more, more of that in the next year and a half. Yeah,

Douglas Maida: 29:49

For sure. I mean, I think back to Gerina making that putt you know, just at that time, a critical putt and then probably to your dismay, is Me, Suzann making . . .

Stacy Lewis: 30:02

The putt, right? Nobody ever talks about a six iron or seven iron, you know, In match play it it's it's putting so so we just as a team, I think we've got to get better in that area.

Douglas Maida: 30:15

Right. Right. Speaking of putting and being able to understand the greens and whatnot, the venue for next year is Finca Cortesina. So, it's the host venue will you have any plans for maybe taking some players, probable players to scout the course or play there a little bit this year or, or next in advance?

Stacy Lewis: 30:37

Well, I'm going to go kind of around the British Open in August, I just want to check the place out for myself more more of the behind the scenes stuff of how everything's gonna be laid out. But I'm also going to play the golf course because I want to see what style of golf will play well there. You know, is it a ball strikers? Is it somebody that hits it far, whatever it is, because I think that can help with your picks. When you come down to that, you know, and I think I'm past all times I've, I've went and scouted courses early. I've not played them at all. And I don't really think it matters, to be honest, whether the girls want to go ahead of time if they want to go play great. We'll set it up for them. Let them go have a little vacation. I mean, it looks beautiful. I don't know if you looked at the website, but it looks beautiful. So so if they want to go great, I'd love them to go check the place out but but really, I mean they've got four days once we get there to learn the golf course so so it's a lot of it's you know, let's let's keep it like a normal week. Let's not you know overanalyze things. And, and because ultimately we just got to go play golf.

Douglas Maida: 31:49

Right. Yeah, it comes to that point where you gotta let your clubs do the talking.

Stacy Lewis: 31:53

Exactly. Yeah, you can you can, you can definitely over prepare in this role too.

Douglas Maida: 32:00

Suzann Petersen is the your counterpart and she was named a little while ago as well. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it's fairly fair to say that the two of you are known as some of the toughest and most competitive people on tour.

Stacy Lewis: 32:15

Yes. a little fiesty. We both are a little feisty.

Douglas Maida: 32:19

Yeah, I was gonna say a little bit feisty in competition. And yes, you strike me as the type that don't want to give up any quarter two to the other or anything like that. But is there something we might be able to see that or expect to see I mean, will there be a really aggressive style? Or I mean, what would you expect coming out of it? Because I think there's some thoughts out there as to -- "ooh, this could be really interesting and intriguing."

Stacy Lewis: 32:46

It could I, you know, I think I immediately came to mind as we've had some rules controversies at the last couple of Solheims and I was like, oh, gosh, can we just not have one because neither one of us is going to back down knowing Suzann and I. So we're just both so competitive. We both want to win. And, you know, I can't wait to see her in this role as well. You know, she's been an assistant, she's seen. You know what Catriona, Matthew has done the last couple, you know, and she's played on far more than me, her record speaks for itself. I mean, she's been amazing in the Solheim Cup. So you know, so we're gonna have to play great to just kind of overcome that. And but I, when I was announced captain, that was one of the things I was most excited about is going up against Suzann, just, I mean, just because she to me, she is the Solheim Cup. I mean, you think of the Solheim Cup you think of Suzann making putts and winning matches and, and winning the cup for them. So I can't wait to get there. And, you know, I'm sure we'll have some interaction as as we get going here along the way to.

Douglas Maida: 33:58

Incidentally, though, and all the time that you've been on the Solheim Cup, I was looking at the records. And the two of you have only faced each other in a Solheim Cup once. Yeah, it was in four ball. So

Stacy Lewis: 34:10

I know it's crazy. It's crazy.

Douglas Maida: 34:12

Yeah, I just you know, but you know, because you both have pretty good careers, and one would have thought that you might have come up against each other once in a while.

Stacy Lewis: 34:19

I know it's good. It's kind of funny, it seems how all those matches fall it was I played in Anna Nordqvist a ton and play Catriona Matthew a ton, you know, for some reason, you always kind of get the same people and I don't know why or what the head is, but But yeah, I mean, I wish I could have played against her more but we, you know, we play plenty of times on tour together and, you know, I've been around her so much and I have a ton of respect for to I mean, she's, she's one of the best players to ever play this game. So I can't wait to go up against her.

Douglas Maida: 34:52

And I'm sure your goal is nothing less than bringing that Cup home.

Stacy Lewis: 34:56

Absolutely, absolutely. But we're gonna have fun doing it. I think that is that's my number one going into the week.

Douglas Maida: 35:04

Fantastic. Fantastic. I'm already getting excited, and it's still a year and a bit away.

Stacy Lewis: 35:09

That's awesome. That's awesome.

Douglas Maida: 35:12

Stacy, as we start to wrap up, you have been one of the leading people on tour in terms of promoting the game with the younger generation, the kids and parents and whatnot like that. Is there any, like, take this as a time, maybe some thoughts you'd like to share, some pearls of wisdom about the game or school, or about getting kids involved, or the parents and, and things like that?

Stacy Lewis: 35:39

Yeah, you know, I think, you know, we're seeing more kids are going to college in this NIL stuff with being able to kind of get get some money is going to help, you know, these girls are going to stay in college a little bit longer and get their education, I think, I think that's always number one. Having a daughter myself, I think it's now I think it's more important. You know, it was always really important to my parents that I get an education and you do your schoolwork before you go to practice, you know, that's how it always worked in our family. And, you know, that's gonna continue over. But you know, gosh, let the kids be kids play a ton of sports, don't specialize super early, you know, get them, let them be athletes, let them you know, be running on a soccer field, or playing golf, or baseball or softball, whatever it is, you know, you know, let them let them have fun, let them be a part of teams, I think it's important just to have that interaction. You know, and you they have, they have to love it, you know, if they don't love it, you know, it's gonna be a fight, you guys are going to be the parents and the kids are going to be fighting too much. And it's not going to be fun for either one of you. So, you know, encourage your kids. Gosh, be so proud. I mean, you know that that's one thing with my own daughter is I just I try to encourage her as much as I can. And if she doesn't want to hit balls with me, then that's totally fine. She can go play in the field and play in the bunker or whatever she wants to do. You know, it's, but then there's a Sunday, she's like,"Mommy, I want to go play golf with you today." And you know, as parent, you get all excited and but, but those days are few and far between right now. But that's okay. But just you know, help your kids love it. And always encourage them. And, you know, I was, you know, like, we've talked about my feistiness on the golf course, and my parents had to kind of learn how to help me rein them in a little bit, you know, there are definitely times that I got pretty upset on the golf course, and, you know, slamming clubs and things like that, but, but one thing they always did is they never, they never let that fire go away. They always just helped me learn how to kind of how to manage it and how to deal with it. Because that fire is what makes makes you great, you know, think of all the great players that have played this game, they all have a little bit of, they get mad at times, you know, and they want to you can see it and they get mad they they do stay slim a club or you can see it in their face, whatever it is, you know, they they have that and so I was glad that my parents never, they never let that go away completely. They just helped me learn how to how to rein it in.

Douglas Maida: 38:20

When you say things like that, I think of Ben Hogan another Texan, with that icy stare, you know, manifesting it that way.

Stacy Lewis: 38:30

Even you know, think of Loreena Ochoa. You know, she seemed to be always smiling at times, but there are times that she would she get mad you know and and that's what that's what makes you better.

Douglas Maida: 38:40

What's next for you, Stacy, you've got a week off this week on the tour schedule is.. Any plans for you as to when you're going to play your next event?

Stacy Lewis: 38:50

Yeah, I'm gonna I'm not gonna play in Hawaii but I'm gonna play the next two out in LA and really kind of building into the to the US Women's Open our next major first of first week of June Yeah. So so just kind of getting ready for that now it's always it's kind of those majors are kind of in the calendar in the back of your mind of what you're trying to get ready for so so we'll we'll get back to work here in the next day or so

Douglas Maida: 39:17

great. So your goal is to play steady regularly and then try to get yourself to peak in time for the US Women's Open.

Stacy Lewis: 39:24

US Open. Exactly.

Douglas Maida: 39:26

How familiar are you with that course? Have you any familiarity with the course?

Stacy Lewis: 39:30

I actually, I played that was my first US Open at Pine Needles was in 2007 I believe I was still in college at the time. So that was the first US Open I ever qualified for so I do remember bits and pieces of it but I think they've they've done some changes kind of made it more like Pinehurst No.2 with with taking the rough out and things like that which makes me really excited because I love what they did to Pinehurst No. 2 so So I can't wait to get back.

Douglas Maida: 40:01

Yeah. Terrific. All right, Stacy. Well, thank you so much for taking time. I know you're very busy person and you just come back recently from your Asia trip and swing and family obligations. So we completely appreciate this. This is wonderful to take time out of your schedule and share it with us.

Stacy Lewis: 40:19

Awesome. Thank you so much for having me

Douglas Maida: 40:20

on. Thank you very much, Stacy. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is our show for today. Thank you for staying with us and we look forward to having you join us next time. And remember when you're out there playing golf, do your best to keep it on the short grass.

Amy (Studio): 40:34

You have been listening to our podcast show. We're talking golf produced by the world of golf. This episode was recorded on Tuesday, April 5 2022. If you have an idea for a future show, please send us an email to : info@worldofgolf.org Please include podcast show in the subject line. This show is the copyright of the world of golf. Thank you for joining us