By Matt Smith
Laura Davies is ready to provide a wealth of knowledge and experience to Team Europe for their Solheim Cup defence at Finca Cortesín, Andalucía, next September.

European Solheim Cup Captain Suzann Pettersen on Tuesday named Anna Nordqvist, Laura Davies and Caroline Martens as her three vice-captains for the 2023 Solheim Cup. The trio have been selected to work alongside the Norwegian and will each bring different skills, knowledge and experience to the backroom team ahead of the prestigious biennial contest where Europe will be seeking their third consecutive victory.

“It was the biggest honour of my career to be named the Solheim Cup Captain and I’m thrilled to be able to name my three Vice-Captains,” said Pettersen. “I’m excited for what Caroline, Anna and Laura can bring to Team Europe as we look to defend the Cup on Spanish soil in the Costa del Sol. With all three of them by my side, I couldn’t ask for anything better and I’m certain that they will be great for our team.”

Three-time Major champion Nordqvist is no stranger to the Solheim Cup having played in the last seven editions of the tournament from 2009 to 2021, being on the winning side four times and clinching 15.5 points for Team Europe during that time.

Nordqvist, who recently won the 2022 Big Green Egg Open on the LET, shared the fairways with Pettersen many times and they teamed up in the fourballs at the 2009 and 2011 Solheim Cups with the duo winning each of their contests.

While Davies brings a wealth of experience to Team Europe having made 12 appearances in the competition, as well as being a Vice-Captain at the 2019 and 2021 editions alongside Catriona Matthew.

The legend of the game has achieved golfing accolades all over the globe with 87 tournament wins including 45 Ladies European Tour titles and 20 LPGA Tour titles, as well as winning a record seven LET Order of Merit titles.

Pettersen has chosen fellow Norwegian and lifelong friend Caroline Martens to be part of her backroom staff for the coveted contest against the United States.

Martens played on the Ladies European Tour for eight seasons winning the 2013 LET Q-School, which was played in Marrakech, Morocco, by eight shots.

“The Solheim Cup holds some of my best golfing memories and to be able to share that with my lifelong friend Caroline will be something very special,” Pettersen said. “She goes the extra mile for her friends and family, and I cannot wait have her alongside me and my other Vice-Captains.

“Laura is a global golfing legend. Her passion and knowledge for women’s golf and particularly the Solheim Cup is something we share. I loved working her last year in Toledo and I’m happy to have her in the team room once again.

“I have been fortunate to share many fairways and memories alongside Anna throughout my career. Having represented Team Europe on seven occasions, Anna is someone who knows the hard work that goes into the Solheim Cup, and I can’t wait for her to be with me.”

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The post Anna Nordqvist, Laura Davies and Caroline Martens named Vice-Captains by Suzann Petersen for 2023 European Solheim Cup defence appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The 38-year-old English fashion model and television personality will be joined by cricketers Brian Lara and Ricky Ponting, former Springboks rugby legend Victor Matfield, Boyzlife pop stars Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden and Emirati comedian Ali Al Sayed at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club on February 6.

Nine-time major champion Player will again host the charity Pro-Am which aims to raise funds for the Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care & Special Needs.

Former Open champion and European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke joins Chris Wood, Joost Luiten, Victor Dubuisson, Jason Scrivener, David Howell and South Africans Thomas Aiken and Trevor Immelman as confirmed European Tour starters.

Scotland-based U.S. Ladies European Tour pro Beth Allen, who won last year’s inaugural Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open at Saadiyat Beach GC headlines a strong female lineup including course record holder Georgia Hall, Caroline Martens, Emma Cabrera-Bello and Victoria Lovelady.

The United Arab Emirates’ ‘Year of Giving’ is set to get a significant boost with the announcement of the star-studded line-up.

Darren Clarke in action during the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship – Photographs by Getty Images

Held in conjunction with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, under the Patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the 2017 Gary Player Invitational joins five other global events in a series that together has helped The Player Foundation raise more than $62 million for charities worldwide. Widely recognised as the world’s leading charity golf series, The Player Foundation is working towards its goal of raising $100 million by 2025.

“Abu Dhabi’s hosting of the second annual Gary Player Invitational highlights not only Abu Dhabi’s strong position as a world-class sporting destination, but also the spirit of generosity that the UAE is known for,” said His Excellency Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

“Bringing professional golfers, sporting legends and celebrities together with golfing legend Gary Player, and members of the business community, the Pro-Am event complements Abu Dhabi’s robust calendar of world-class events, as it also supports our growing sporting culture and importantly, the vital work of the Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care & Special Needs.”

Player, the course designer at Saadiyat Beach GC, will host a pre Pro-Am skills clinic from 11am on February 6. The clinic and Pro-Am are open to the public.

“Saadiyat Beach Golf Club is one of the most engaging courses in the world and the ideal location to host the mix of professional golfers, sporting greats and special guests during this year’s event in Abu Dhabi.

“It is especially significant to host this event during the UAE’s Year of Giving and thanks to the support of the Abu Dhabi Sport Council, facility owner, TDIC and the wider UAE community, we are able to build upon the work of the inaugural event in 2016 and move even closer to reaching our goal of raising $100 million for children by 2025. I know that all participants will have great fun in support of an even greater cause.”

A gala dinner at the five-star Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi on February 5 will kick-start the Invitational while players can also look forward to a traditional South African Braai (BBQ) after play.

www.garyplayerinvitational.com

The post Jodie Kidd to tee it up in <br> Gary Player Invitational <br> at Saadiyat Beach appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.