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see also: Curtis Cup, Bel-Air Country Club
Meghan Stasi brings experience, match-play focus, and team-first leadership to the 2026 U.S. Curtis Cup Team at Bel-Air.
Bel-Air Country Club made an immediate impression at the 2026 Curtis Cup Media Day.
Regal, exclusive, and exceptional without feeling pretentious, the historic Los Angeles venue offered an early glimpse at the stage that will welcome some of the best women’s amateur golfers in the world.
While the course itself will play a major role in shaping the week, Media Day also provided a closer look at the person leading the U.S. Team: captain Meghan Stasi.
The morning began with breakfast, where I had the pleasure of sharing a table with Stasi and her husband. A longtime USGA competitor, Stasi spoke with gratitude about her relationship with the organization and the opportunities she has had throughout her amateur golf career.
“It’s so special to be a part of the USGA family for such a long time,” Stasi said. “I try to play in as many [USGA events] as I can. I’m very fortunate to be at it as long as I have.”
The Curtis Cup brings together elite individual players, but the format demands a different kind of preparation. Match play, team dynamics, and the ability to adjust to a different competitive rhythm all become critical.
Stasi said the growing number of match play opportunities in the amateur game has helped prepare players for the environment they will face at Bel-Air.
“We’re trying to do more match play events throughout the year, like USGA Four-Balls, the NCAAs, the SECs, and the different tournaments that incorporate more match play events,” Stasi said. “The girls are getting used to that. I love match play, always have. It is a different game, so the girls have to be ready for that and know how to play different games.”
A venue like Bel-Air can also add to the week’s energy. The course is rich in history, but Stasi pointed specifically to the people around the championship as a key part of what makes a Curtis Cup feel special.
“A lot of it, I think, is just the membership and the fans that want to be here and support the team and the championship,” Stasi said. “Every time you go to a tournament, and you have that feeling of the members being behind it, it is very, very special. I think it’s going to be packed out here.”
With several potential U.S. Team members having gained experience on major stages such as the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and The Chevron Championship, Stasi believes the group is well prepared for the demands of the spotlight.
“I think it’s strong for us,” Stasi said. “They are used to it. It’s a part of their process in moving forward toward being pro, which I’m sure most of them will, and they are all going to be very successful in that. The travel schedule and being ready in front of the cameras are part of that.”
The full final team has not been announced, but Stasi said the group had already spent valuable time together during a January practice session. More bonding will come once the roster is finalized.
“Not yet, but we had a great time at the practice session back in January,” Stasi said. “Once the team’s announced in a few weeks, then we’ll start doing a few more things. It will be hard to get everyone together before that week, but we’ve got a few things up our sleeves.”
Stasi’s passion for competition is quiet but unmistakable. As low-key as she may seem, her competitive spirit came through clearly when she spoke about the opportunity to captain the team and be part of the Curtis Cup environment.
Beyond the Curtis Cup itself, Stasi also offered a simple message for women of any age or stage of life who may be interested in playing amateur golf.
“Just come out and play,” Stasi said. “Don’t worry about what you’re shooting. And as we all say, play it forward. Just come out and enjoy it. Just meet the people. Just keep playing and have fun.”
It was a fitting message from a player and captain who has spent so much of her life around the amateur game. Stasi’s connection to USGA championships, her appreciation for match play, and her steady competitive edge should give the U.S. Team a clear identity heading into the 2026 Curtis Cup.
At Bel-Air, the spotlight will certainly be on the players. But as my experience made clear, the U.S. side will also be shaped by the calm, experienced, and competitive presence of the captain leading them.
Officially named "The Women's International Cup," the first Curtis Cup wasn't officially held until 1932. The biennial competition features the best female players from the United States of America pitted against a similar squad from Great Britain an...
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