The classic Merion Golf Club in Ardmore managed to test the skills of women during the 42nd Curtis Cup that was held from June 10 to 13, writes Alex Miceli for Sports Illustrated. 

The biennial amateur matches saw the United State women’s team take on Great Britain and Ireland – and come out victorious once again. 

The course offered just 6,130 yards, which always represents a challenge for the players. With a good weather forecast, the course played exactly as its designer Hugh Wilson designed for it to play: hard and fast. 

Before arriving at the course, Great Britain and Ireland Captain Elaine Ratcliffe asked her friend, Mark Fulcher, a caddie at the time on the ladies’ circuit, for some tips on playing the course. 

She was told that “it was not attacking it, it was staying under the flag,” she said. “Full stop. If that makes sense.” 

However, even this extra help did not help Ratcliffe and her teammates defeat the U.S. team, which retained the Cup with a 15½-4½ win. 

Read more about Merion Golf Club in Sports Illustrated.