What was your first reaction when you heard the news?

"I was thrilled, honored. I was shocked. I think I asked the Commissioner, Mike Whan, to repeat what he had said because I wasn't sure I heard him correctly. And he said yes, you are the next U.S. Solheim Cup captain.

It caught me off guard because I had not been thinking about it. When he called I was totally surprised. I was very surprised, really thrilled and honored."

Have you ever been to Killeen Castle in Ireland?

“I have not. I am sure I will be making a trip on behalf of being the captain now though. Actually my business, Rosie Jones Golf Getaways, might be adding a trip there now.

I have been to Ireland, twice before in my career. I played on the European Tour for a few months, and one of the tournaments was in Ireland. It was in the mid-1980s. I also went over to play with the LPGA in an event.”

What are some of the best memories you have of the Solheim Cup?

“Well playing in them seven times leaves a lot of memories. There have been a lot of great matches with great partners. One of the best moments was a huge putt I had on the 18th green with Meg Mallon in 2005 against Sophie Gustafson and Suzann Pettersen. The match was tied, I had a 35-foot putt over the ridge of the green and I made it. Making that putt in front of all the fans on the 18th green and in front of the captains and my teammates was a great memory. To pull something like that off was something incredible."

What are you looking forward to the most about being captain of the U.S. Solheim Cup Team?

“I think to just be a part of the team. As a player, you want to play in every Solheim Cup. It was much different when I was commentating on the sidelines, having been in the competition. Watching the captains and seeing the decisions that they make, that makes you want to do that and lead your own team. That has given me a lot of inspiration.”

In the coming weeks and months, what will you do first as the captain?

“Over the next 18 months, I need to get organized and prepared. I need to get a list of players and pick my two assistant captains. That will be my priority over the next several weeks. I really need to get my bearings straight and get a sequence of events and find out what I need to be doing.

I am going to the Kraft Nabisco Championship and hope to join former Solheim Cup players. I want to just be there with them, talk to them and get to know some of the younger players who I haven't had the chance to meet. I would like to meet the young American rookies who have the opportunity to play on the Solheim Cup in 2011. I have been off the Tour for three years now, so I want to be around them. They need the chance to get to know me as much as possible.”

Be sure to tune in to Rosie Jones' appearance on Golf Channel's 19th Hole, Wednesday, March 3rd at 7:00 p.m. ET.

Q&amp;A with Rosie Jones, 2011 U.S. Solheim Cup Captain

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Q&A with Rosie Jones, 2011 U.S. Solheim Cup Captain