Countdown starts to Solheim Cup

MP Stephen Gethins hosted the 2019 Solheim Cup event in Parliament with Catriona Matthew and Di Dougherty. Picture by Stuart Adams.

A reception was held this week in the House of Commons to celebrate the start of the countdown to the 16th staging of The Solheim Cup.

At the reception, hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf in conjunction with VisitScotland, Parliamentarians heard from European Team Captain Catriona Matthew, Visit Scotland Director of Events Paul Bush, and Ladies European Tour Executive Chair Mark Lichtenhein.

Speaking after the event, All-Party Parliamentary Golf Group Co-Chair and Member of Parliament for North East Fife, Stephen Gethins MP, said: “The group is delighted that The 2019 Solheim Cup is being hosted in Scotland, and we look forward to working with VisitScotland and other partners over the coming year to promote the event.

“The tournament provides a fantastic opportunity to enhance Scotland’s reputation as the Home of Golf and as the perfect stage for major international events, whilst also delivering economic benefits to the local area and more widely across Scotland.”

Paul Bush, Director of Events with VisitScotland, said: “The 2019 Solheim Cup is an outstanding opportunity not only to once again showcase Scotland as a leading golf events destination following The Ryder Cup in 2014 but also to underline Scotland’s commitment to supporting and profiling women’s golf.

“We are seeing real momentum behind women’s sport and The 2019 Solheim Cup affords the opportunity to build on this, increasing the profile of these world-class athletes as well as encouraging more women and families into the game at a grass roots level.”