Scotland exploring Solheim bid

Potential host courses for 2019 match being urged to come forward

Scotland is inviting submissions from venues interested in staging the 2019 Solheim Cup as part of a potential bid to host the competition.

Following a bidding seminar hosted by the Ladies European Tour recently, VisitScotland is now considering whether or not to submit a formal bid to host the Solheim Cup in 2019 and, as part of this process, is now seeking a potential venue with which to progress to the bidding stage.

If Scotland went through the bidding process and was the successful candidate, it would be the third time that the country has hosted the biennial competition, with previous venues both witnessing wins for Team Europe.

POTENTIAL

In 1992, Dalmahoy Country Club near Edinburgh witnessed an 11.5-6.5 victory for Europe, while in 2000, Loch Lomond GC was the setting for a 14.5-11.5 win for a team captained by Scotland’s own Dale Reid.

Paul Bush, VisitScotland’s director of events, said: “We are currently undertaking a period of due diligence before making a decision as to whether to submit a formal bid to host the 2019 Solheim Cup.

“In the meantime, we are also keen to identify potential suitable venues and look forward to receiving interest from those who feel they can meet the staging requirements of a major international sporting event.”

A set of criteria has been drawn up for a potential venue following communication of the bidding requirements from the Ladies European Tour, and these are being made available to clubs across Scotland via the Scottish Golf Union.

The 2015 Solheim Cup, taking place this September, will be hosted by Golf Club St Leon Rot in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, where Europe will be hoping to make it three wins in a row.

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