Catriona Matthew and Meghan Stasi are relishing the chance to lead their team to success when the 43rd Curtis Cup tees off at Sunningdale tomorrow.
The Captains of Great Britain and Ireland and the United States of America have prepared their sides for the eagerly-awaited biennial women’s team contest at the renowned Berkshire venue.
Three foursomes matches take place tomorrow morning ahead of three four-ball meetings in the afternoon, before the same format on Saturday and eight singles ties on Sunday.
In a glittering career which has yielded 11 worldwide titles, Matthew made her final appearance in the AIG Women’s Open last week in St Andrews, celebrated her 55th birthday on Sunday and now takes on a new leadership role with GB&I.
The victorious two-time European Solheim Cup Captain has enjoyed the opportunity to take on a fresh challenge as her side aim to secure a first Curtis Cup victory since 2016.
“This role means a lot to me,” said the Scot, who made three Curtis Cup appearances before turning professional in 1994. “When I was an amateur, getting in the Curtis Cup side was always the main focus.
“With all my experience in the Solheim Cup, as a player and captain, it just seemed like a great opportunity to go back to where it all started and lead this team at Sunningdale. I’m really excited about helping the new ones come through.
“To have past players, who have gone on and done well professionally, come back and captain the sides can only be good for the match and raise its profile even more. I think you’ll notice in both the men’s and women’s games that a lot of players near the end of their career are very keen to help the youngsters.”
The USA team includes four of the top-ten players on the World Amateur Golf Ranking® (WAGR®), while Matthew’s side boasts the world number one, Lottie Woad from England.
Matthew added, “I don’t think I’ve ever played in a Solheim Cup where we’ve been ranked above the American team yet we’ve won our fair share of them. Sometimes being the underdog can be to your advantage.”
Woad, 20, added, “I definitely think the rankings aren’t going to really matter. I feel like in most Solheim Cups we’re usually ranked behind the Americans and the last two results have obviously gone to Europe.
“We’re just going to try and use that and we know with it being four-ball and foursomes you’re not playing on your own. I feel like we’re a lot more used to playing in that format with all the team golf we play over here.”
Stasi has a special bond with the Curtis Cup. She met her future husband, Danny, on the day she found out she had made the USA team for the 2008 match at St Andrews. After the American side had completed a 13-7 victory over GB&I at the home of golf that summer, Danny proposed to Meghan on the Swilcan Bridge.
“It was my first time to play in the UK and we just fell in love with it, for many reasons,” said Stasi as she recalled that memorable week 16 years ago. “Every time I come over here, we get to play new golf courses, meet new people and I just feel at home in a lot of places so I’m very happy to be here.
“The girls in the team are very mature. They may be a little bit on the younger side but I’ve been able to watch them and just see how mature they are. They’ve travelled overseas on a lot of occasions and they’re very independent and I think they’re just going to show their game that way. It’s just going to be an exciting week.”
On the specific test of Sunningdale, Stasi, 46, added, “There are several holes that are definitely driveable for the girls – the girls hit it a long way. I’ve played the course several times and the staff and the members have just been really inviting. I’m just very honoured to have played a few times out here.”
Asked whether she expects Matthew to have a positive impact on the GB&I team, Stasi replied, “I would believe so. She has quite the record, quite the background. But when it comes down to Friday’s pairings I’ll just get the girls prepared and we’ll be ready when we step on the first tee.”
Megan Schofill, 23, who has concluded her collegiate career at Auburn University in Alabama, said, “I think team golf is so unique and different from professional golf and junior golf in a lot of instances.
“For me, five years of college golf was unbelievable. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. I truly loved it and I’m definitely going to miss it. But getting to play on a team one last time before I start a new journey, I’m just really looking forward to being able to compete with these girls this week and just know that we’re going to have a fun week.”
With Sunningdale basking in glorious weather conditions, tickets can still be purchased ahead of the opening foursomes matches tomorrow from 7.45am.
Bought in advance, match day tickets are priced at £22 for adults, £11 for youths (16–25), and free for under-16s. A season ticket is £44 for adults. Walk up prices at the gate each day are £25 for adults with 50% off for youths and free for under-16s.
The foursomes draw will be live at 5.30pm and can be viewed on www.curtiscup.org