It happens every four years: The United Kingdom's supersonic Red Arrows squadron makes an "unofficial" fly-by to christen The Solheim Cup's opening ceremonies in Europe. The toast of the Royal Air Force, which just happens to be the only nine-jet fighter team in the world, takes special pride in saluting the finest female golfers on the planet.

But this year's tradition will be of added significance when the Red Arrows dip their wings in unison over Loch Lomond Golf Club to not only honor the ladies, but also one of their most ardent admirers and friends. The late Karsten Solheim, whom these trans-Atlantic matches are named for, loved the Red Arrows, probably because of their picture-perfect formations and aerodynamic skills.

"The Red Arrows always put a big smile on Karsten's face," recalled Bob Cantin, director of communications for PING, the golf club manufacturer who sponsors The Solheim Cup. "He really looked forward to that fly-by."

There were many parallels between Solheim and the pilots who guide the Red Arrows. Both worked with precision, understood the forces of the earth, and upheld a strong work ethic. But when Solheim passed away at his home in Phoenix on February 16 due to complications from Parkinson's disease, that left the Red Arrows to carry on the opening-day tradition without one of their biggest fans, which they will do October 6 when the sixth edition of The Solheim Cup begins its three-day run.

Of course, the members of the American and European teams also will salute "Golf's Gentle Genius." Solheim earned his lofty nickname because of the many contributions he made to the game: heel-toe balancing, perimeter weighting, club fitting, the lob wedge and the most popular putters and irons on earth. He also was one of the biggest benefactors ever when it came to women's golf, at one time sponsoring four different tournaments on the Ladies Professional Golf Association.

"Karsten loved ladies' golf," said his son, John, who took over as CEO of PING in 1995. "He felt the lady professionals didn't get as much recognition as their male counterparts, so that's why he sponsored various LPGA events dating back to 1975. When the opportunity to sponsor a Ryder Cup-like ladies' event was presented to my parents, they embraced the idea wholeheartedly. Karsten thought it would be a wonderful arena for the ladies from Europe and the United States to be recognized for their golf skills and talents."

Karsten Solheim's generosity was remembered fondly by Hall of Famer Nancy Lopez, who played in the inaugural Solheim Cup at Lake Nona Golf Club in Orlando, Florida. "The whole Solheim family has always been so supportive of women's golf," Lopez said. "All the years I played the tour, I remember Karsten would come out and show me a few golf clubs he wanted me to try. He was always a dear person to me, and because of all of his support and love for the LPGA Tour, I am really going to miss him."

Solheim, whose declining health forced him to miss the 1998 Solheim Cup at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio, had one of his grandest moments in 1994, when The Solheim Cup was held at The Greenbrier near White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. American star Meg Mallon was there, and recalls both teams honoring Karsten and his wife, Louise, on their wedding anniversary.

"We surprised them by singing ŒYou are my Sunshine,' and he was the happiest I had ever seen him, with the biggest smile on his face," Mallon explained. "He was such a brilliant man, but the simplest things in life made him so happy, and that is what I will remember about Karsten the most."

Simple things like watching jets fly through the sky. Yes, the Red Arrows, along with most everyone in the world of golf, know of Karsten Solheim's greatness and what has been lost. What most people don't know is the Red Arrows have played Solheim's PING golf clubs ever since the early 1990s, when Karsten himself fitted them with their own personalized sets.