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Floor Speech
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Mr. HOEVEN. I rise to support my colleague, the senior Senator from Arkansas, and golf enthusiasts everywhere in cheering on Team U.S.A. in the Solheim Cup.
North Dakotans love their sports, and when it comes to golf, that is certainly no exception. You may be surprised to know that in North Dakota, we have many golf courses and actually rank very high in number of golf courses per capita. And for competitive golfers in the State, we have many different tournament opportunities for both men and women alike and, of course, people young and old. That is the great thing about golf. It is a game you can play all your life. Senator Boozman, even when you are old like you and me, you can get out there on the links and hit it and have a great time.
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Mr. HOEVEN. Most of the time, right.
But even if you are not playing well, it is a great place to take a walk. There is nothing better. North Dakota has produced top-notch golfers, including, right now, PGA tour winner Tom Hoge from Fargo, and although she just retired, a tremendous women's golfer, Amy Anderson, from Oxbow, and many others as well. Even growing up, a fellow by the name of Mike Morley, who is a fellow I knew--I always looked up to him. He was a little older when I was out there caddying on the golf course. He went on to become a touring pro as well.
We have great golfers, and obviously they are world-class athletes. In the case of Amy Anderson, she retired from professional golf this year, but when she was at North Dakota State University, she won 20 collegiate events, an NCAA record for Division 1 wins.
Again, for those traveling to the great State of North Dakota, I certainly encourage you to bring your clubs--Senator Boozman-- particularly in the summertime.
The Solheim Cup was actually created by PING founder, Karsten Solheim, in 1990. Like the Ryder Cup for men, it meets every 2 years to put the top women golfers in the United States against the top golfers in Europe. I have got to tell you, Karsten Solheim--he and his family-- he had his sons in the business with him, too, which was primarily based out of Phoenix. But we have this incredible Norwegian festival in North Dakota every year. It is the largest Norwegian festival outside the country of Norway. The Solheim family used to come up to that great celebration celebrating their Norwegian heritage. He is the founder of this great tournament and, of course, pits the U.S. top women golfers in the United States against the top women golfers in all of Europe. So we are taking on all of Europe, right? It is pretty cool.
This competition reflects the best in sports, with players not playing for money but playing for their country, playing for their teammates, and for so many young women who watch and of course are hoping one day to be in their shoes.
I have to tell one quick story because I know the senior Senator from Arkansas will enjoy it very much. I actually played in an LPGA event. I actually played in an LPGA event. Now, you might think that sounds funny, but, of course, golf aficionados know that they have a member, you know, guest day the first day, and I was fortunate enough to get to play in an event, and it was just great, great fun. It is just amazing to see these incredible women golfers and just how great they are at the game.
Senator Boozman, yes, they hit it a lot farther than you do off the tee--no question about it--and me too, of course.
This year's competition in nearby Gainesville, VA, will be a great match, with the previous competition, as Senator Boozman said, in 2023 resulting in a 14-14 tie, which means Europe got to retain the cup. So we need to get it back. It looks so good here in America, we need to keep it here in America. I know that our women athletes will rise to the challenge. I like our chances this year.
To Captain Stacy Lewis and the 12 players on Team USA, we wish you the very best of luck as you compete here, and we look forward to an exciting weekend of skill and sportsmanship.
I already have talked to somebody on this very floor who knows some of the golfers and is going to go watch the tournament. Of course, the rest of us will get the opportunity to watch it on television.
With that, I yield back to my very good friend and colleague, the senior Senator from Arkansas--who, by the way, was an incredible athlete himself, although I don't think it was on the golf course. I think it might have been on the gridiron, although you do have the svelte physique of a golfer. I think it might have been as a Razorback.
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