England's Davies preparing for 11th Solheim Cup team
Picture a Solheim Cup without Laura Davies as a participant.
Go ahead, try.
Not an easy thing to do considering Davies has been a part of all 10 Cups since the event's conception, and it looks like she'll crank that to 11 this August by either qualifying for the European team on points or as a captain's selection.
Davies, who calls England home, was in Chicago recently and spent some time getting acquainted with the enticing but fierce layout at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, host course for the Solheim Cup (Aug. 17-23).
She talked with the Daily Herald about the state of her game, her role on the Solheim Cup team, and the blast she had watching a Cubs game from one of the best seats in the house.
Q: First of all, how was your night at the Cubs game?
Davies: They gave us seats right there by the dugout, as close to the action as you can get. It was tremendous.
It was a great atmosphere. They had two guys on (in the ninth) but they couldn't come through (in a 2-1 loss to the Dodgers). I think if they had come through the crowd would have gone mental.
Q: You've been practicing at Rich Harvest this week. What are your thoughts on the course?
Davies: I like it. Very nice but very tough. The rough is very difficult, loads and loads of trees. You need to hit it very straight and quite long actually - that's a tough combination.
Q: It should make for quite a challenge.
Davies: I think so. I think there will be quite a few holes won with par.
Q: You've been with the Solheim Cup since the beginning. How has the event changed over the years?
Davies: It's just gotten bigger and better. The galleries are bigger - every event is a sellout. The atmosphere is always first class and the standard of play has obviously gone up. This year is going to be no different because this place is spectacular. There's going to be something for everyone.
Q: What is your favorite part about Solheim Cup week?
Davies: Just the golf, really. Until Thursday, there's always something you have to be doing and that makes the week quite long. As soon as we're finished with that it's game on, and that's when it really becomes fun for us.
Q: How has your role on the European team changed over the years?
Davies: I tend to get paired with the rookies in four-ball; perhaps I can help the ones that are a bit more nervous. I'm not one to stand up and start cheerleading, that's just not my way. I think that's the captain's role, not so much the players.
Q: So being a captain some day probably wouldn't interest you?
Davies: No, I'm not a big fan of being a captain, that's just not my personality. I wouldn't mind all the decision-making and that side of it, but not everything else that goes with it. Maybe my mind will change when I'm not trying to be on the team. To me it's always been about the golf and doing the business on the golf course. That's why I keep playing because I really enjoy it.