Solheim Cup gossip, er, preview

There?s plenty of goings-on already at the Solheim Cup, set to begin on Friday at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Indiana.

According to my source on the ground, players were given some high-quality goodie-bags filled with Canon digital cameras, custom-made diamond bracelets, spa days, and more. What is this, Oprah?s Favorite Things? All we need is a few pairs of Manolo Blahniks and the bags would be complete.

The thirteenth man?the U.S. gallery, that is?is bigger and more enthusiastic than ever, even for today?s practice rounds. Looks like our home team advantage might just pay off. And the course is in great shape, with fast greens, per Captain Nancy Lopez?s request.

Speaking of crowds, Sunday’s crowd might be the biggest ever. Although this event has been sold out since February, Solheim Cup organizers are selling 3,000 extra tickets to benefit the U.S. Golf Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. The $40 tickets will be sold at the front gate, raising potentially $120,000. So pack up the kids and head down there if you can.

What?s a preview without some good gossip thrown in? Here it is:

Beth Daniel, Lopez’s somewhat controversial captain?s pick, seems to be panning out well after all. Nancy chose Daniel for her ability to bring the team together and provide inspiration and guidance. So far, that?s exactly what she?s doing. England?s Laura Davies, a veteran who?s participated in every Solheim Cup, claims that the U.S. team dislikes each other, but Daniel says she?s way off base. According to Beth, this team ?gets along better than any team I?ve been a part of.?

Well, maybe not everyone. Rumor has it Creamer and Kerr have a bit of a frosty relationship. Being two of the best U.S. players, could this be a problem for the team? Look for Kerr to be paired with Gulbis instead.

Did you know this Solheim Cup has three babies on board? That?s right, American Laura Diaz and Denmark?s Iben Tinning are both in their second trimesters, Tinning with twins, and neither player is letting pregnancy slow them down. How do you suppose ping-pong injured Vijay Singh would play if he were carrying that kind of load?

Paula Creamer raised a few eyebrows and made a few headlines when she announced ?all I can say is they?d better get ready, because they?re going to get beat.? Hey, finally, some good old-fashioned smack talk! To anyone who was actually offended by this, please get a grip. Even Nancy backed Paula up, saying, ?She’s 18, 19, she can say anything she wants. It?s nothing against the Europeans, she’s just excited to play, she’s very enthusiastic and I love it.?

Clear some space on your Tivo, because The Golf Channel will be airing the Solheim Cup all day every day:

Friday 9 AM ? 5 PM ET, replay at 7:30 PM
Saturday 9 AM ? 5 PM ET, replay at 7:30 PM
Sunday 9 AM ? 4 PM ET, replay at 7:30 PM

Go team USA!