Heard on the Range

For the first time in the history of the Ryder Cup, caddies will be given full access to the U.S. team room during the Sept. 17--19 match at Oakland Hills. "A caddie might say one thing that helps take a half-point that wins the Ryder Cup," says U.S. captain Hal Sutton.... Hurricane Charley downed more than 1,000 trees at Lake Nona, the tony gated community outside Orlando that is home to numerous pros, including Annika Sorenstam. Sorenstam was seen clearing branches off the property of one of the two houses she owns there while her husband, David Esch, worked a chainsaw.... The UCLA women's team will compete against 29 men's teams at the Sept. 17--18 Gold Rush Collegiate Showcase, an event hosted by the UCLA men at the 7,200-yard PGA of Southern California Golf Club. The women, 2004 national champions, will play from the men's tees in the 54-hole event.... Winged Foot members were unhappy at being banished from the club's grounds during the U.S. Amateur unless they paid $45 to be a volunteer or $60 for a ticket. According to the New York Post,one member, Edward (Ned) Gerrity, wrote a letter to the club's board, which read in part, "The outing people don't belong. They are using the club premises by sufferance of our membership and the membership is annoyed." ... Eighteen nations will send professional teams to the first Women's World Cup, Feb. 11--13 at the Links at Fancourt in George, South Africa.... Beginning in 2006 the LPGA's Kraft Nabisco Championship will move from the last week of March to the first week of April. --J.G., Farrell Evans

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ACTION IMAGES/WIREIMAGE.COM (SORENSTAM)

WINDED Sorenstam (at the British Open) cleaned up after Hurricane Charley.