NAMES & FACES

Laura Davies

The former top-ranked female player will become the first female golfer to compete in an event on the men’s European Senior Tour when she takes part in the Shipco Masters next year in Denmark. She’ll play from the men’s tees in the June 1-3 event at Simon’s Golf Club. European Senior Tour head David MacLaren says it is “prepared to innovate and look to attract a wider audience to the game of golf.” The 53-year-old Davies is a four-time major champion and 12-time Solheim Cup player. She has 45 wins on the Ladies European Tour and 20 wins on the LPGA Tour. She said, “My golfing career has been played in parallel with a number of players who are currently on the Senior Tour, so I’m really looking forward to testing my wits against them.”

The Earnhardts

Darlington Raceway in South Carolina said it will rename its two towers Earnhardt Towers to honor the late Dale Sr. and his son, Dale Jr., at the Southern 500 next month. Dale Earnhardt Sr. won nine times at the track “Too Tough to Tame,” second most behind David Pearson’s 10 victories. Dale Earnhardt Jr., winless at Darlington, is expected to run his final race there Sept. 3. Earnhardt Jr. plans to retire after this season. Earnhardt Towers will feature graphics depicting memorable moments of the Earnhardts on the backside of each tower with “Earnhardt Towers” on the front. Track president Kerry Tharp said it’s fitting to honor the father and son pair for what they’ve done for racing and Darlington.