Golfer Rosie Jones Named 2011 U.S. Solheim Cup Team Captain

Out golfer Rosie Jones, a 13-time winner on the LPGA Tour who played on seven Solheim Cup teams during her career, has been selected captain of the 2011 U.S. Solheim Cup Team. The event will be played at Killeen Castle in County Meath, Ireland from Sept. 23-25, 2011.

 "I am honored and absolutely ecstatic to be chosen as the 2011 Solheim Cup captain," said Jones, a playing member of the first U.S. Solheim Cup team in 1990 who also sank the putt to clinch the 2002 Solheim Cup event. "The Solheim Cup has been a huge part of my career as a player, and now it will be even more exciting as I prepare for what promises to be another great Solheim Cup in Ireland. I couldn't be more proud to represent the United States and have the opportunity to lead our players across the pond to Killeen Castle to retain the Cup."

The 2011 Solheim Cup will be the 12th staging of the biennial, trans-Atlantic team match-play competition featuring the best 12 U.S.-born players from the LPGA and the best 12 European-born players representing the Ladies European Tour (LET). The U.S. leads the series 8-3. The 2009 European Solheim Cup Captain Alison Nicholas will once again lead her team.

In her career on the LPGA Tour, Jones recorded 13 victories and more than $8 million in career earnings. Her best year on Tour came in 1988 when she had three victories and finished third on the season-ending LPGA Official Money List. She also had 187 top-10 finishes, five holes-in-ones and a 5-4 playoff record. Last October, Jones shot 7-under-par to win the Kinoshita Pearl Classic on The Legends Tour for senior women golfers.

Jones came out as a lesbian and became a spokeswoman for Olivia Travel in March 2004. She retired in 2006. She is a commentator on the Golf Channel and she and long-term partner Carrie Sexton run Rosie Jones Golf Getaways.