Mark Davis sets out in search of a rare Scottish double when the Englishman defends the title at this week’s Prostate Cancer UK Scottish Senior Open over the Fidra course at Archerfield Links Golf Club near North Berwick.
The 51 year old from Billericay won his maiden European Senior Tour title after finishing five shots ahead of Phil Golding, Pedro Linhart, Cesar Monasterio and David J Russell at last year’s Championship at Fairmont St Andrews.
Now, he hopes memories of that success can help him to become the first player to claim back-to-back victories since fellow Englishman, Barry Lane, back in 2010 and 2011.
“I’m very excited about it”, said Davis. “It’s a different venue but most of the golf courses along this coastline have much the same feel.
“It’s a good golf course and it’s also a beautiful place. I’ve played it a couple of times and I just hope the weather is a bit better than it was the last time I was here earlier this year. That was for the Ian Woosnam Pro-Am and it was so cold that DJ (Russell) pulled us in after twelve holes. I also played it in a pro-am the year before so I know it reasonably well.”
Last year’s victory came out of the blue for the two-time European Tour champion.
“I had a funny year last year,” he admitted. “Obviously, I won at St Andrews but that was my only top ten finish. I’m not sure what I would put that down to. I’ve always been a bit like that. I was like that on the main Tour. I had my good weeks and my bad weeks. I’ve never been consistent.
“This year I played well in Wales and I’ve had a few other good shows. I was lying third in Jersey going into the last day but shot 74. It was much the same in Switzerland. I’ve played some good golf but have not been able to finish it off. I hope I can change that this week.”
This year’s Championship has attracted a strong field including former Ryder Cup captains, Sam Torrance and Mark James, two-time 2015 winner Peter Fowler, 2014 Ryder Cup Vice-Captain Des Smyth, two-time winner Lane as well as another former Ryder Cup player, Paul Broadhurst, who makes his European Senior Tour debut after turning 50 earlier this month.
“I can’t wait to get started,” said the Englishman. “The last three or four years I have been wishing my life away. I must be just about the only person who has wanted to be 50 ever since I was about 46 or 47. People might not understand that, but it’s a great opportunity to play again and is something I’m really looking forward to.
“I’ve got four kids to look after so that’s a big incentive to do well. The bank balance has taken a bit of a battering the last three or four years so I need to make a good start. It would be great to hit the ground running but I’ve just got to try to be patient.
“I’d love to get off to a flyer but I’m not stupid. There are some very good players out here. You still have to shoot four under per round and that’s not easy on courses like this.”
Another man who will start among the favourites is last year’s runner-up Russell who will have local knowledge on his side having designed both courses at Archerfield.
“This is probably the most exciting golf week I’ve ever had, both in terms of playing in the event myself and also being the course designer,” said the man known to all in the game simply as DJ.
“I’m looking forward to it as it is a real privilege to have a tournament like the Scottish Senior Open played on a golf course I’ve designed. I’m sure I’ll find all the trouble I put in there.
“First and foremost, I’m delighted we’ve got the tournament. Hopefully it will be a success and we can be hosting it for many years to come because I believe that it fits the profile of Archerfield Links very well.
“I’ve not been playing very well. I’ve been busy with my golf course design projects but I also know the golf course better than anybody. Whether that will be to my advantage or disadvantage only time will tell. But I can still compete if I play well.”
