Scotland's Dale Reid's success
in steering Europe to the Solheim Cup victory over America at Loch Lomond in Scotland
this year has been recognised with the award of an Officer of the British Empire
in the Queen's New Year's Honours list.
For the 41-year-old Reid, the award
is yet another accolade who admitted that the triumph in October was the highlight
of hugely successful career.
Having turned professional in 1979,
Reid became the first member of the European women's Tour to be awarded honorary
membership when she reached the milestone of 20 victories. Altogether, she has
accumulated 21 titles -- a mark only surpassed by Laura Davies.
She also figured in Europe's only previous
Solheim Cup win -- at Dalmahoy in 1992 -- and she was famously attributed the
title of "the gutsiest player I have ever known" by former Solheim Captain, Mickey
Walker.
Reid played in the matches four times
before taking on the role of skipper this year, and it was her bravery in making
some controversial "wild card" selections that proved to be a key card. Helen Alfredsson
and Catrin Nilsmark, two Swedes who had struggled throughout the season,
both came up trumps in the Loch Lomond quagmire.
Reid has already been re-appointed
captain for the 2002 defence of the trophy at Interlachen in Minnesota, and she
admits: "I would love to become the first European Captain to win on U.S. soil."
But she has not given up hopes of achieving
more success as a player. She suffered through illness in 2000, but is determined
to be fit for the start of the 2001 season at the Australian Masters in March.
"I still love playing, and I wouldn't
keep going if I didn't think I could still win," she said. "This year, I'll try
to put the Solheim thoughts to the side and concentrate on my own game."
