The fifth staging of The Solheim Cup marked the event’s true coming of age. The biennial match-play competition between the U.S. and Europe had earned its place on an international and historic stage.

Fans lined the fairways from dawn to dusk at Jack Nicklaus’ famed home course, Muirfield Village. The importance of that year’s venue was not lost on the players, who felt it was their turn to make history on the course that plays host to the annual Memorial Tournament on the PGA TOUR and had hosted the 1987 Ryder Cup.

As it turned out, a European team built around Laura Davies, Alison Nicholas and Trish Johnson, alongside six Swedes, including then-rising star Annika Sorenstam, was not enough to derail an American lineup with the likes of Meg Mallon, Dottie Pepper, Betsy King and Juli Inkster. The Americans took home the Cup following a 16-12 victory, ensuring that Captain Judy Rankin would become the only twice victorious U.S. captain.

Dottie Pepper drew regular attention as the only American to play in every Solheim Cup heading into 1998, boasting an 8-3-1 all-time record. Often caught with her Solheim Cup spirit on the tip of her tongue, she was a favorite target for the press and fans, who either loved her or loved to root against her.

Pepper became the only player on either team to go undefeated that year.