Nicholas handed Solheim job

Nicholas: 2009 Solheim captain

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England's Alison Nicholas has been announced as Europe's captain for the 2009 Solheim Cup contest at Rich Harvest Farms in Illinois.

The 45-year-old, who stands just 4ft 10in tall and is known as 'Big Al', will succeed Helen Alfredsson who oversaw Europe's second straight defeat in the event at Halmstad, Sweden back in September.

Nicholas has featured in the match against America on six occasions as a player, the last in 2000, and has served as vice-captain or assistant since then.

As such she was the obvious choice to assume the position and is excited about the challenge ahead.

"It's a great honour and I'm delighted," she stated. "I can't wait, it's fantastic.

Big Challenge

"We face a big challenge, but I don't believe that anything is impossible. I want to enjoy the whole experience and to have fun with my team. I want to help them to be the best that they can be.

"I'm really excited and very passionate about the Solheim Cup. It's a magnificent competition and something that I always look forward to.

"I always enjoyed playing and I enjoyed the last four events even though I wasn't playing. It's been a very special part of my golfing career."

Nicholas was twice on the winning side as a player, forming a formidable partnership with Laura Davies and finishing with a record of seven wins, three halves and eight losses.

In her professional career the Gibralter-born player amassed 18 victories before retiring from the game in 2004 and chairman of the Ladies European Tour and the European Solheim Cup Committee, Karen Lunn, insisted she was ideal candidate to take the post.

"I am not sure that there is anyone that is as passionate about the Solheim Cup as Ali," Lunn stated.

"Alison fully understands the difficulty of the task that lies ahead in going onto US soil to get the Solheim Cup back."

Europe have never won the event away from home and Nicholas will lock horns with Beth Daniel who has been appointed as American captain for the contest, succeeding Betsy King.