Dame Laura: It’s mad that Solheim still won’t come to England
Given the immense contributions from Georgia Hall, Charley Hull and Bronte Law to europe’s stunning Solheim Cup success on Sunday, it is hardly surprising there is a clamour for the event to be staged in england for the first time in 2023.
The chances are slim, however, and it is fair to say that Dame Laura Davies (below) is not best pleased. Britain’s greatest female golfer believes the playing field has been tilted unfairly by the Ladies european Tour, who have the final say, in favour of a bid from Malaga — golf course to be determined.
‘it’s a bid mad,’ said Dame Laura. ‘i know the people behind the english bid, and they are not being given a chance. The board have basically told Malaga that it’s theirs, but they’ve missed two deadlines already and still the board are saying, “We are not accepting bids”.
‘This english bid is legitimate. They have the finance, the course, the will, so what wouldd be the harm in the board at least listening and seeing whathat they propose?
‘We deserve to havee the Solheim Cup in england. Look at our history in the event. Look at last week. We had four players andd two assistant captains.
‘i never got the chancee to play the Solheim Cup in England for reasons that always mystified me, but i’d love Charley, Georgia and Bronte to have that opportunity. We wouldn’t have won last week without them.’
interest in hosting the event will only grow after another marvellous occasion at Gleneagles, following the Ryder Cup there in 2014, with a record attendance of more than 90,000 spectators.
it was the third time it has been held in Scotland — all three ended in victories — with Sweden hosting it twice and Wales, ireland and Germany once.
Spain’s bid is thought to be mired in the machinations of politics but, in purely golf terms, Davies acknowledged their legitimate claim. To be fair to the LeT board, they also have to consider the fact the Solheim has only been staged on three occasions outside the British isles.
‘Obviously they warrant a shot with players like Carlota Ciganda and Azahara Munoz, but i just think a Solheim in england would be special,’ argued Davies.
‘The girls would all still be in their 20s, and in their prime. i just urge the powers-that-be to hear out the english bid and give them a chance.’
Hall and Hull, both 23, played four times each last week and remained unbeaten, contributing seven points to the cause. Law, 24, turned her singles match around for a 2&1 victory that gave Suzann Pettersen the opportunity to win the trophy on the 18th green.
One thing Davies remains adamant about is that even if the Solheim was somehow played in england, she would not be captain. ‘i wouldn’t want to do it,’ said the 55-year- old, an assistant captain last week. She has also turned down the chance in the past.
‘People say i’d come under pressure to do it, but i’d just say no, and that’s it. Trish Johnson can do it. i’d be happy to help out.’ As for the captain in Toledo, Ohio, next time, Davies believes there is only one candidate. Catriona Matthew had hardly stopped singing We Are The Champions as the celebrations at Gleneagles went on long into the night before talk turned to her staying on. ‘Clearly Suzann is a stick on down the line, but i want Beany (Matthew’s nickname) to be captain again in America,’ said Davies. ‘She deserves a shot at the Americans over there.’
Perhaps surprisingly, given the perfect scenario of winning the trophy on home soil and in such dramatic circumstances for the best moment of her career — ‘by far,’ she confirmed — former British Open champion Matthew said she is open to persuasion, which ought to settle the matter.
As for the stupendous events at Gleneagles, Davies did not hesitate for a second in ranking this 16th edition at the top of the pile.
‘i’ve been involved in 13 of them and won four times, but this was the best in my opinion and the most unexpected,’ she said.
‘You can only hope this does wonders for our tour because, let’s face it, if you can’t raise the interest after this then you never will.’