Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, October 23, 1994 TAG: 9410250039
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: E-9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ANDREA KUHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.VA. LENGTH: Medium
Britain's Laura Davies got a taste of it Saturday on the par-5 third hole at The Greenbrier Course.
Davies needed to make an 8-foot putt for birdie on the 475-yard hole to give her and partner Alison Nichols a 2-up advantage over the U.S. duo of Brandie Burton and Dottie Mochrie.
When Davies' putt slid by the hole, a lone ``yes'' came out of the crowd. The owner of the remark was none other than Mochrie, known for her extreme intensity.
``I don't think anybody would have done anything differently,'' Mochrie said. ``I mean, I know [Davies] is, I am sure she is not just sad when somebody misses a putt to tie her. They are certainly not apologetic.
``My most vivid memories of Laura Davies in any match-play competition is to go with the flow, and she roots her partners as hard as I root mine on.''
KEEPING THE FAITH: U.S. captain JoAnne Carner showed her faith in Lynchburg native Donna Andrews when she placed her in today's final pairing of individual match play.
Andrews, who has been playing well all week, will face Liselotte Neumann in Match 10, starting at 11:12 a.m. Solheim Cup rookie Sherri Steinhauer will face Scotland's Dale Reid, who has competed in all three events, in the penultimate match.
``Sherri and Donna, they are both playing extremely well, but I need the course to be as dry as possible to give them the most roll as possible ... and that's why I put them there,'' Carner said.
Brandie Burton, who has two victories under her belt this week, drew the European's answer to John Daly. Burton will face Davies, the LPGA's longest hitter, in the seventh match of the day at 10:48.
SOLHEIM CHANGES: The Solheim Cup's executive committee recently approved a change in the daily format for the biennial event, as well as the number of players for each team.
Effective in 1996, the teams will increase from 10 players to 12. On the first two days of the Solheim Cup's three-day schedule, there will be morning and afternoon matches.
Whether all 12 team members will compete in each set of matches will be determined at the committee's next meeting in March.
The 1996 Solheim Cup will take place at St. Pierre Hotel Golf and Country Club in Chepstow, Wales.
STICKER SHOCK: Watching Davies boom the ball 280-plus yards is great, but for some real excitement Solheim Cup fans need only check out the prices at the merchandise tent.
A cap or visor will run you $25, while generic cotton golf shirts with the Solheim Cup logo run $57. Sweat shirts are $90.
If you need a putter (Ping, of course) with a logo, you'll have to fork over $75. Head covers will run you $17.50 each.
Umbrellas, which could be in demand today, are $39.50.
TIME WILL TELL: Britain's Laura Davies and U.S. team member Beth Daniel are in the midst of a year-end battle for several awards with only the Toray Japan Queens Cup remaining on the LPGA Tour schedule.
Daniel leads Davies 48-47 in Rolex Player of the Year points. The award, established in 1966, is based on a points system for top five finishes in tour events.
Davies never has won the award; Daniel earned the honor in 1990.
Daniel also has an edge in standings for the Vare Trophy, awarded to the player who records the lowest average score through the end of the official LPGA season. Daniel has a 70.83 average; Davies is second, at 70.96.
Davies, however, is tops in winnings, racking up $667,652 this season. She has won three tour events. Daniel, a four-time winner this season, has earned $656,687.
In the unlikely event Davies would miss the cut in Japan in two weeks, Daniel would need to finish 14th or better to win the money title.
``Not that I've done any research or anything,'' Davies said.
by CNB