Australian-born rookie Rebecca Artis has drawn on the support and guidance of one of the greats of women’s golf when she makes her maiden appearance in this week’s Evian Masters.
The 24-year old from the New South Wales country town of Coonabarabran qualified for the new Major Championship in women’s golf after defeating hometown hero and recent Solhiem Cup victorious star Caroline Hedwall last week in Sweden.
Artis then got her first look at the French Alps course on Tuesday when she played a practice round in the windy and rainy atmosphere.
Aussie Rebecca Artis competing in this week’s Evian Masters. (Photo – Tristian Jones).
The annual Evian Championship is now a fifth Major for the women and while September in this part of France can be very warm as Indian summer or can be as yesterday, wet, fresh and with an early feeling of fall.
“I really enjoyed the golf course,” said Artis.
“It is quite narrow off the tees in some areas and it’s playing quite long some of the par 4’s and a couple of par 5’s are long also. I have some long irons and woods into the greens. But Greens are very undulating and you have to hit on the right section of the greens. It will be a true test.”
Geoff, her husband and caddy started their did his homework Tuesday morning, walking the course and grabbing as much information as he could. The main trick for rookie in Evian is to adapt their reading to the sloppy greens. Rebecca totally trusts his husband to guide her.
“As far as slopes are concerned, my husband walked the course yesterday morning so he’s mapped all the greens and I leave that department after him,” she said.
Davies has taken Artis wings for his maiden appearance in Evian and with she and her husband having dinner with England born champion golfer.
But in typical Davies manner it was a night for cheering on England’s football team.
“Well, I am an Aussie and she has been coming out supporting the Australian LPG Tour for quite some time now so I’ve just got to know Laura from when she was coming in Australia,” said Artis.
“Obviously she plays still a lot of LET and we’ve become quite good friend with her, myself and my husband.
“We didn’t talk too much about the golf course as she only got in yesterday afternoon and she is playing the Pro-Am this morning and she hadn’t seen the new changes
“But then we had a bit of a laugh and watched England playing Urkraine in a football match (Preliminary Campaign for 2014 FIFA World Cup).
“I’m not much of a football girl but I have to say with Laura as a friend and being based in England you tend to watch a lot of football!”
Artis won’t need any footballing skills this week but then what she’s learned from watching Davies on the golf course could very well lead to becoming the fourth Australian, and a first since Karrie Webb in 2006, to win the Evian Masters.
