In the latest edition of the Staysure Tour Player Blog, we caught up with Dame Laura Davies after her debut on the Staysure Tour at the Shipco Masters promoted by Simon’s Golf Club.
England’s greatest female golfer made history in Denmark when she became the first female to compete on the over-50s circuit.
It was fun to play on the Staysure Tour at the Shipco Masters.Everyone was good to me. I was nervous early on and played rubbish on the first day but after that I settled down and it was pretty enjoyable. The atmosphere at Simon’s Golf Club was good.The galleries were decent and there were always quite a few people out on the course. There were quite a few people with groups but there was also lots of people around the greens. I think the good weather helped, as it was unbelievable warm during the whole time we were there.
When I accepted the invite to play it seemed like a good idea and a bit of fun, and that was the main thing.I wasn’t trying to prove anything. I thought it would be great to play an event alongside those guys. It was something to try. I didn’t do particularly well – I was tied 44thin the end and it would’ve been nice to be a bit higher.
I played really well so one under was probably the worst I could’ve shot. I played well on Sunday but I didn’t quite hole as many as putts as I did on Saturday. Saturday was the day where I played like I can play, and certainly forget about Friday as that was hopeless.
Nerves played a part for Friday’s score.When you’re stood on the first tee and you’re nervous before you get going it’s never a good thing. I’m always a little bit nervous but it was beyond that, so it was like being a fish out of water. I was out there playing on a course at an event which is a little bit different and let the nerves get to me a little too much. The course didn’t really suit my game. I like softer courses to be honest. You had to really place your ball on the fairway because the fairways were rock hard. The greens were nice and soft and pretty smooth so a good few putts were being holed, and I actually putted pretty well.
It was great to play with José María Olazábal on Sunday.He didn’t play very well like he said himself and he’s disappointed with his game at the moment. But to be out there playing a tournament round of golf with a Masters Champion was obviously great fun. He was really nice as well so it was a good day on the course.
There were two women’s teams at GolfSixes earlier in the year, but that is a completely different style of golf.It’s six holes compared to your traditional stroke play golf, which I prefer. I don’t necessarily go for the shorter forms of the game, I like proper tournaments. However, it was good that the girls played really well and got through to the second day of tournament which is what it’s all about really getting through your group. They all played really well, and I’ve spoken to two or three of them since and they really enjoyed it.
Next up for me,I’m back on the LPGA Tour going to Atlantic City for the first tournament. Then there are about five tournaments in six weeks all around the Chicago area. There’s one major and four regular events, which should be fun.
