Winning the Curtis Cup for the first time in seven tries would be sweet. Winning it on American soil would be even sweeter. Winning it on the home course of the two women who founded the event would be perfect. The team comprised of Great Britain and Ireland got off to a strong start Friday in its effort to snatch the 36th Curtis Cup competition from the U.S. squad in the biennial event being held at the Essex County Club this weekend. After halving the three morning foursomes, the visitors won two of the three fourball matches in the afternoon to take a 3.5-2.5 lead over the Americans. The U.S., which has won the event six straight times, needs 10 points to retain the cup; the GB&I team 10.5 points to take it back across the pond. Essex County was the home course of sisters Harriot and Margaret Curtis, who donated the cup for which the competition between the two teams of female amateur golfers is named. http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=5277942
