August 23, 2009–It's been another huge weekend for Las Vegas golf. Not only are there amazing Las Vegas golf deals at the best Las Vegas golf courses, but the weekend was highlighted by some of the greatest Las Vegas golfers competing on the biggest stages. Former UNLV Rebel Ryan Moore won the Wyndham Championship on the PGA Tour (another Vegas golfer, Chris Riley, also was in contention), but the biggest win was another team victory for Las Vegas' Natalie Gulbis, who is now 3-0 as a member of the United States Solheim Cup team. The U.S. won for the third time in a row and Gulbis was 1-1-1 in the matches played at Rich Harvest Farms outside Chicago.
"I think being on the team is the best part of this week," said Gulbis, who prepared for the event in Las Vegas and has always said that playing in the Solheim is extremely important to her. "We play an individual sport where we're competing against each other week in and week out, and to be able to come together and play with the best players in the world and be wearing the American colors and playing for the United States and playing in front of these fans … it's all the interaction stuff with the team, from the practice rounds to coming up here in a couple days to the matches that makes it amazing." Gulbis works with the pros at the Butch Harmon School of Golf located at the Rees Jones-designed Rio Secco Golf Club, a Las Vegas resort golf course.
Gulbis was paired with longtime friend Christina Kim in the afternoon round of the opening day and they put on a show while earning an important point. Gulbis and Kim were paired again in the second round, but got beat pretty easily. Gulbis was then put out as the final match of the Sunday singles play, but the Cup was decided before the Gulbis vs. Janice Moody match was finished. But Gulbis was excited to potentially be in the final match that could decide the outcome. "It's definitely an honor," said Gulbis, who was credited with a halve in the final match. "They did it in Sweden and Meg gave me a great talk in Sweden, and when she put me in there again, that was definitely a big honor."
Gulbis' partner for two days, Kim, was the spark plug of the U.S. team, continually pumping her fist and soaking in every moment. Kim didn't make the team in 2007, but played with Gulbis in 2005. And she was definitely, you know, happy to be back. "You know, it was so hard," said Kim. "I mean it's the Solheim Cup, you know. The most unbelievable thing in the world. And you know, it's been four years in the making, and you know, this is the greatest moment of my life, the entire week. You know, the crowds have been phenomenal. You know, for both teams there has been so much support, and you know, they're like our 13th player out there. There's no question. We love you guys!" All quotes from asapsports.com.