Scotland bids to host Solheim Cup for third time

Catrin Nilsmark plays from a bunker at the 17th green during the 2000 Solheim Cup at Loch Lomond. Picture Ian Rutherford

The ‘Home of Golf’ is among ten countries to express an interest in hosting the 2019 clash between Europe and the United States.

The chance to stage it has led to the Ladies European Tour receiving record interest for the biennial bunfight.

Up against Scotland are Denmark, England, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and Wales.

A bidding seminar takes place tomorrow at the Ladies European Tour’s headquarters at Buckinghamshire Golf Club in London.

After weighing up the options, the LET intends to announce the 2019 host later this year following the 14th edition of the matches in Germany.

“We are delighted with the response from the interested nations all across Europe which shows the tremendous appetite for watching Europe take on the USA at golf,” said Mark Casey, the LET’s European Solheim Cup director.

“We look forward to working closely with all interested parties over the coming months to provide each country with the opportunity to present their strongest possible bid.”

Scotland has staged the event twice before - in 1992 at Dalmahoy on the outskirts of Edinburgh and eight years later at Loch Lomond,

Both matches resulted in wins for Europe under the respective captaincies of Mickey Walker and Dale Reid.

“With the European team’s victory at the past two editions of The Solheim Cup in Ireland and Colorado and the growth in women’s golf across the world, The Solheim Cup is developing into a unique women’s sport brand globally,” said Ivan Khodabakhsh, the LET’s chief executive.

“We are therefore very confident of a strong host for The 2019 Solheim Cup.”

This year’s event is being played at Golf Club St. Leon-Rot on September 18-20 with the 2017 encounter scheduled for Des Moines Golf and Country Club in Iowa.

Paul Bush, chief operating officer of EventScotland, said: “The 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles was regarded as the best-ever staging of the event and showed what Scotland can do when the whole country comes together to host a major golf tournament.

“There is no doubt that hosting the Solheim Cup in Scotland would further enhance an already prestigious event and we believe that our history and heritage in golf as well as our experience in hosting major events can set us apart from other nations.

“Following our expression of interest in bidding to host the 2019 Solheim Cup in Scotland, the Home of Golf, we look forward to attending the bidding seminar with the Ladies European Tour to hear more about the requirements and benefits of hosting the event before making a final decision on whether to submit a formal bid.”