Advice, especially the good stuff, is always useful when it comes to playing golf in unfamiliar territory or conditions. Knowing that obvious truism only too well, both sides in the Curtis Cup at Sunningdale are taking advantage of those with experience in the run-up to what will be the 43rd meeting between the best female amateurs from Great Britain & Ireland and those from the United States.

For the visitors, most of the most helpful insight is coming from inside the tight-knit squad. With seven of the eight players Curtis Cup rookies, it goes without saying that the youthful Americans are leaning heavily on non-playing captain Meghan Stasi. As Meghan Bolger, Stasi was a member of the winning U.S. team at St. Andrews in 2008. But soon-to-be three-time Curtis Cupper Rachel Kuehn (whose mother, Brenda, represented the U.S. in 1996 and 1998), is another useful sounding board.

“We go to [Kuehn] with any questions as someone that’s played in three,” says teammate Megan Schofill. “It’s great to have Rachel to kind of give us that confidence and kind of tell us exactly how it’s going to be and what to expect.”

As for the home side, some big names have been part of the build-up to what they hope will be a first victory in this biennial contest since 2016. Two weeks ago, Sam Torrance, a Sunningdale member and former European Ryder Cup captain, spent a day with the squad. Breakfast on the eve of the matches was shared with former U.S. Open champion, Justin Rose, another Sunningdale member. And that left time for one last evening pep-talk from another former Ryder Cup skipper in Colin Montgomerie.

“I know the sort of feelings the girls are having,” Rose said while watching during the practice round on Thursday. “These team events are different from even the high-level events they play in as individuals. They feel different. A lot of people will be here. There will be a lot of energy. So any tips on what to be aware of can come in handy. The big thing is just to enjoy it.”

One thing the GB&I team will want to avoid, however, is the result of a story Rose told on himself. As a 17-year-old, the Englishman was part of the 1997 Walker Cup side at Quaker Ridge in New York. On the first morning he hit the opening tee shot in the second foursomes match. And he hit it out-of-bounds.

“I hope the girls all do better than I did,” he said with a smile. “I’m sure they will. The team seem relaxed and all in a great spot. The good thing about match play, of course, is that I only lost that one hole before moving on.”

One last thing on the advice front. Even some of those employed to advise the GB&I side are getting advice. The caddies for both teams are locals, all well familiar with the foibles of the Sunningdale course. Equally, however, none spend too much of their working lives carrying the bags of players who perform as well as their employers this week. Which has prompted Great Britain & Ireland assistant captain Karen Stupples to call for a “caddie chat” on the eve of the matches. The aim is to make sure all are on the same page as to the particular characteristics, needs and wants of golfers at this elite level.

The game might still be amateur, but the approach from both sides is nothing but professional.

Main Image: Oisin Keniry/R&A