Captain Catriona is ready to do her homework
Just over a year before the Solheim Cup, Catriona Matthew can’t wait for this week’s dress rehearsal at Gleneagles.
She is heading to the famed venue for the inaugural European Golf Team Championships, with five days of action starting on Wednesday.
The North Berwick star will represent Great Britain alongside England’s Holly Clyburn in three days of fourball matches.
That’s before joining up with European Tour professional Charlie Ford in the mixed foursomes strokeplay on Saturday.
So while Catriona is throwing herself into this ground-breaking event and the possibility of winning two gold medals, she will fast forward 13 months to imagine how the course will look for the Solheim Cup.
Next September, Catriona will lead Europe in the quest to win back the cup from the Americans, and skipper Juli Inkster.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Gleneagles,” she says. “It’s a similar time to when the Solheim will be next year.
“We’ll see how it’s playing after a long, hot summer. Although who knows if we’ll have as nice a summer next year. That’s up in the air.
“But I’m excited about the European Championships. It seems like a fun event.
“Playing with Holly, it’s round-robin the first few days, then foursomes with the men and back to foursomes match play on the Sunday.
“So it’s three different formats in one week, which will be interesting.”
While Matthew will definitely be at Gleneagles next year, one player desperate to make that team is Georgia Hall.
The English player is one of Europe’s rising stars, and she will partner Dame Laura Davies this week.
There is a whopping 32-year age gap between them, but Hall can’t wait to tap into Davies’ vast experience.
“I remember growing up watching Laura in Solheim Cups and British Opens,” she admits.
“She’s such an amazing person to look up to. She’s a great golfer and she still hits the ball a mile. I can’t wait to play with her.”
There is a 50-50 split in prize money, but with the event coming on the same week as the men’s US PGA, there is a lack of star quality in the men’s field.
However, Scottish duo Connor Syme and Liam Johnston will provide home interest as one of the three pairings representing Great Britain.