The Solheim Cup is not to be missed! Camiral is looking forward to attending and so should you! It is all systems go now in preparation for the 2011 event to be held at Killeen Castle, in Dublin, on September 23rd-25th. The event is held every 2 years and has evolved into women golf’s most prestigious professional competition since its inception in 1990. The competition is a team match-play challenge featuring the best U.S. born players from the Ladies Professional Golf association (LPGA) and the best European born players from the Ladies European Tour (LET).
The Solheim Cup combines a passion for golf combined with a pride for representing one’s country as part of a team. It is named after the Norwegian-America golf club manufacturer Karsten Solheim, who was the driving force behind the competition’s creation. For golf fans, The Solheim Cup, the pinnacle of women’s professional golf, is a must see. Over 80,000 people are expected to attend over the 6 days – The Cup commences with 3 practice days on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with the Opening Ceremony on Thursday 22nd, and then the 3 days of competition, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The inaugural Cup was held in 1990, and the event was staged every 2 years until 2002, alternating years with the Ryder Cup (the equivalent men’s event between the USA and Europe). As part of the general reshuffling of team golf events consequent to the one-year postponement of the 2001 Ryder Cup due to 9/11, the Solheim Cup switched to odd numbered years from 2003.
Various activities will be taking place throughout the week leading up to the Cup, including a balloon flight planned for Friday 16th, which is a perfect way to view the Castle and surrounding infrastructure from above. Furthermore, a cultural element will be built into the Ceremony on Thursday 22nd featuring famous musical producer Donal Lunny. Junior Golf Ireland will be giving lessons to over 2000 junior golfers during the event and on the Thursday night there is an open air concert at Trim Castle.
For those interested in the history of the area, lying in the shadow of Killeen Castle is the gothic style Abbey dating back to 1425 which is a national monument. And now for a bit of trivia… Look out for the sycamore tree on the first hole… it is over 400 years old and the second oldest sycamore tree in Ireland!
The Solheim Golf Cup is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the best women’s golf event in the world and it won’t be back for a long time! Why don’t you buy a ticket now?
