DOWN MEMORY LANE -- LEONA MAGUIRE - SOLHEIM CUP STAR

Leona and Lisa Macguire 2011
The McGuire twins win the team award for Ireland -- Troon Ladies Captain Gilly McRae presents the Trophy

Leona MacGuire 2010
At the Helen Holm 

Leona McGuire  - Helen Holm winner 2009 

In 2009 -- Teen sensation Leona Maguire made history when she became the youngest winner of the Helen Holm Scottish Women's Amateur Open strokeplay title at Royal Troon in 2009

The Cavan prodigy, 14, finished two shots clear of Scottish Under-21 champion Kelsey MacDonald for a wire-to-wire win on six-under par.

Twin sister Lisa finished tied for third on three under par thanks a third successive round of 74. She birdied four holes coming home but a bogey six at the 16th cost her a share of second place with runner up MacDonald --- CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

With Leona Macguire being the GB&I  star performer (4.5 points out of 5) in the 2021 Solheim Cup, it reminded your webmaster of being at the  2010 and 2011 Helen Holm Trophy at Royal Troon where she was playing and taking some photos with many of our Scottish players taking part and many supporters there 

HERE IS A REMINDER -- DOWN MEMORY LANE PHOTOS (plus the 2012 Curtis Cup that she was in)

2010 HELEN HOLM PHOTOS  

2011 HELEN HOLM PHOTOS

EUROPE WIN 2021 SOLHEIM CUP TO CREATE SOLHEIM CUP HISTORY

Catriona Matthew

Catriona Matthew created Solheim Cup history as the first European captain to win the biennial contest back-to-back, following a dramatic victory at Gleneagles in 2019 with another sweet success in an equally-thrilling 17th edition in Ohio. 

Leading by two points heading into the final-day singles at Inverness Club in Toledo, the Scot’s side were up in eight of the 12 matches at one point before holding off a late fightback to win 15-13 as they became just the second European team to triumph on US soil. 

After victories for rookie sensation Leona Maguire, Madalene Sagstrom and Celine Boutier, coupled with half points from Anna Nordqvist and Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Matilda Castren, the first Finn to play in the match, delivered the point that retained the trophy. 

The stand-out player and player of the tournament was Leona Maguire, so it was very fitting that she won the first point with a 5&4 victory over Jennifer Kupcho.  

Maguire, the first Irish player to compete in the match, went on to win 5&4, putting the first point of the day on the board and taking her personal tally for the event to an impressive four-and-a-half points, which constituted the best-ever debut in the event. 

READ MORE 

Solheim Cup - DAY 2 - Catriona Matthew hails "crucial" lead for Europeans

Just as well Catriona Matthew is a cool customer. A calm head, after all, will be needed in the European team room heading into the last-day singles after a roller-coaster ride for her players so far in the 17th Solheim Cup in Ohio. 

Leading by three points overnight, the Europeans were up in all four games at one point in the morning session on day two at Inverness Club in Toledo only for the momentum to swing over to Pat Hurst’s US side.

Matthew is now bidding to become the first European captain to record back-to-back wins and she’ll certainly have faith in her players after the way they dug deep in the penultimate session.

“It was certainly a roller-coaster this afternoon,” said Matthew. “The last 20 minutes for us was crucial, I think. After having such a big lead from yesterday, we wouldn’t have wanted to give it all up, so it is great that we are going into tomorrow with a two-point lead.“

READ MORE - BY MARTIN DEMPSTER - THE SCOTSMAN

It was a day of two halves and, no, I'm not just talking about there being a morning and an afternoon session! Team Europe lead Team USA by two points heading into the singles matches.

Two sessions and two similar outcomes made for a thrilling second day at Inverness Club. 

In the morning session, Team Europe started in the way they had finished on day one, but after a strong start the leaderboard shifted to red. The same happened in the afternoon session, except it was Team USA who started strong and Team Europe who then made a comeback. The day ended with USA gaining four points to Europe's three and setting up a final day that is just too close to call.

WOMEN AND GOLF REVIEW - CLICK HERE

Results Day 2

Day 2 Foursomes - USA 3 GB&I 1

Day 2 Fourball  - USA 1.5 GB&I 2.5

After Day 1 and 2 -- USA 7 GB&I 9

Monday Singles  

Nordqvist v Thompson 

Sagstrom v Ewing 

Maguire v Kupcho 

Hall v Korda 

Boutier v Harigae 

Madsen v Ernst 

Castren v Salas 

Ciganda v Altomare  

Popov v Khang  

Reid v Noh 

Hull v J Korda  

Pedersen v Kang

SOLHEIM CUP DAY 1 GOES TO EUROPE AMID A CONTROVERSARY

 DAY 1 -- READ REVIEW FROM WOMEN AND GOLF MAGAZINE 

Europe ended the opening day holding a 5.5-2.5 lead, but the Solheim Cup was once again shrouded in controversy in the 17th edition at the Inverness Club in Toledo.

Swede Madelene Sagstrom was left in tears in Ohio despite Catriona Matthew’s side emerging with a healthy advantage in their defence of the trophy.

In an event that has witnessed its fair share of unwelcome heated debates over the years, Sagstrom picked up opponent Nelly Korda’s ball close to the hole after the American had almost holed an eagle putt at the 13th and handed it to her.

According to the rules official with that match, Sagstrom had infringed the rules, having deemed that it was overhanging the hole and, therefore, she should have waited for 10 seconds before intervening.

Day 1 - Results

Foursomes:  USA 0.5 GB&I 3.5

Fourball:  USA 2 GB&I 2

To read the full report by Martin Dempster in the Scotsman --- CLICK HERE

Refereeing at the 2019 Solheim Cup by Claire Hargan

Referees at the Solheim Cup 2019 - courtesy of the R&A

Claire Hargan, Assistant Director of Rules at The R&A, discusses her experience of refereeing at the 2019 Solheim Cup and some specific moments from a special week at Gleneagles...

Click Here to go to the R&A website for the full story. 

Catriona Matthew - has been made an OBE

Catriona Matthew (Getty Images)

Scottish golfer Catriona Matthew, who captained Team Europe to Solheim Cup victory over the US, has been appointed an OBE in the New Year Honours list

The 50-year-old has been recognised for services to golf, 10 years after becoming an MBE. 

Catriona, who grew up in North Berwick was absolutely delighted when she opened her post to find the news that she was to receive the honour. 

She said it was "quite a surprise" and she was "very excited" to get the recognition for her achievements. 
 "It's a huge honour for myself, for the team and for woman's golf", she added. --- She said the victory on "home soil" had been "very special". 

 Her family are looking forward to travelling down to Buckingham Palace to see her receive the honour.

CATRIONA MATTHEW WINS THE COACH MANAGER OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Sunday Mail Scottish Sports Awards was held on Thursday 5th Decemeber 2019 at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Glasgow Central.

Catriona Matthew was honoured as Coach/Manager of the Year last night at the Scottish for leading Team Europe to Solheim Cup glory at Gleneagles.

Catriona Matthew returns as Solheim Cup Captain for 2021

Catriona Matthew (Photo courtesy of Scottish Golf)

Victorious 2019 skipper to lead Team Europe again in 2021 at Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio

From the Scottish Golf Website

Catriona Matthew has been reappointed as the European Solheim Cup captain for 2021.

The Scot, who will lead Team Europe at Inverness Golf Club in Toledo, Ohio, was unveiled in a news conference at The Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland, the scene of Europe’s triumph over the United States, in September.

Matthew will attempt to become Europe’s first multiple Solheim Cup-winning captain. She led Team Europe to a 14 ½ – 13 ½ victory in the 2019 Solheim Cup, which was the highest attended women’s golf event ever held in the UK and the most widely watched on television.

Matthew said that the thrilling event was the pinnacle of her career, even ‘blowing away’ her major victory in the 2009 Women’s British Open.

Reflecting on the dramatic victory and the task ahead, Matthew said: “Winning the Solheim Cup in Scotland was a dream come true, but backing that up with a win in America would be even better.

“It’s always harder to win on US soil, but I’m honoured to be tasked with the mission. I was lucky enough to be part of the first European team to win on US soil at Colorado Golf Club in 2013 and so know what’s possible.

“The American team played extremely well at Gleneagles, but what we accomplished this year and what it meant to people all around the world, will serve as further motivation. I’m excited to get down to business, build the next team and see what Europe is capable of at Inverness Club. It’s a very Scottish name, so I’m hoping that’s a good omen!

“Anyone who witnessed the 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles in Scotland can be left in no doubt that it was an outstanding international event which set a new benchmark for women’s golf, but this is the beginning of a new, two-year journey, so I’m going to gather all my experience, take it forward and do my best to bring the trophy home to Europe again in 2021.”

Matthew, who has 11 professional tournament victories, made her Solheim Cup debut in 1998 and played for Europe nine times in the competition. She has been instrumental in four Solheim Cup victories, three times as a competitor, in 2003, 2011 and 2013 and as the winning captain in 2019.

“I’m very pleased Catriona has agreed to captain the European Solheim Cup team in 2021 at Inverness Club,” said John Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO. “The leadership she showed in Gleneagles played a significant role in her team’s thrilling victory. She created a very cohesive team that had tremendous belief and confidence in their ability to win matches when it mattered most. Bringing that winning experience to America under her guidance will serve the European team very well as they set out to successfully defend the Solheim Cup.”

The 2019 European Solheim Cup team lavished praise on Matthew.

Suzann Pettersen, who holed an eight-foot putt to win on the 18th green in the final match at Gleneagles, said: “I’m thrilled that Catriona is returning as captain. She’s a class act and obviously inspires all the players and team members around her. She’s not only a Solheim Cup legend, but she’s also a great leader, friend and mother. She had the faith in me to choose me as a wildcard pick, for which I will forever be grateful and she deserves all the credit.”

Dame Laura Davies, a vice-captain in 2019, said: “Everyone enjoyed the match at Gleneagles so much and I think that Catriona was such a great captain that she deserves the chance to go and get the trophy back again. I am looking forward to another terrific contest in Ohio.”

The 17th edition of the Solheim Cup, to be played on Tuesday, August 31 to Monday, September 6, 2021, will continue to build on the tradition and history of the biennial transatlantic contest.

The Donald Ross-designed Inverness Club boasts a major championship pedigree having hosted many of the premier championships in golf including four U.S. Opens (1920, 1931, 1957, 1979), two PGA Championships (1986, 1993), the 2003 & 2011 U.S. Senior Open Championships and, most recently, the 2019 U.S. Junior Amateur.

Tickets for the 2021 Solheim Cup are on sale now at solheimcupusa.com.

Catriona Matthew set to captain Europe again at 2021 Solheim Cup

Catriona Matthew

By Martin Dempster - The Scotsman Newspaper

Europe's captain for the 2021 Solheim Cup will be announced next month at Gleneagles, where Catriona Matthew led the home team to a sensational last-putt victory in September.

The LET's venue choice for the announcement on 14 November suggests that Matthew, a popular captain for the event in Perthshire, is set to be re-appointed for the 17th edition of the match at Inverness Golf Club in Toledo, Ohio.

Norwegian Suzann Pettersen had also been tipped as a contender for the 2021 captaincy after she announced her retiral from playing immediately after holing the winning putt against Juli Inkster's American side in a dramatic finish on the PGA Centenary Course.

But, after admitting that she "wouldn't say no" to a second stint at the helm, it seems as though Matthew, who made five appearances in the fixture on the other side of the Atlantic and secured Europe’s first win on US soil in Colorado in 2013, has been given the nod again by the LET board.

The 50-year-old North Berwick woman had been tipped for the next match by former world No 1 Laura Davies, one of her vice-captains in the 14.5-13.5 at Gleneagles, where Matthew came up with some profitable pairings, notably Georgia Hall teaming up with rookie Celine Boutier to deliver three points out of three.

“My vote would go to Beany (Matthew) again next time, because everyone has enjoyed it so much," said Davies at the time. “I always think that, if you win, you deserve the chance to go and get the trophy back again."

EUROPE WINS SOLHEIM CUP AFTER SENSATIONAL FINISH

From the Solheim Cup Website 

Europe won The Solheim Cup for the first time since 2013 after an incredible finish to the final day singles, which ended with Suzann Pettersen holing the decisive putt on the 18th green to send the thousands of fans into raptures.

Team USA looked set to retain the trophy when they needed a half point from any of the final three matches, but Europe won all of them to secure a sensational victory.

With Anna Nordqvist closing out a 4&3 win over Morgan Pressel and Bronte Law beating Ally McDonald 2&1 in the final two groups in the minutes preceding, Pettersen and Marina Alex were both on the 18th green and with makeable putts for birdie.

Alex missed and Pettersen, one of Captain Catriona Matthew’s wildcard picks, stepped up and rolled in an eight-footer to give Europe the point they needed to get to the all-important 14½.

Team Europe went wild; the Americans were stunned.

All day the momentum swung either way, with Carlota Ciganda beating Danielle Kang on the last in the top group followed by Nelly Korda putting some red on the board with a two-hole win over Caroline Hedwall.

The next two points went to Europe, Georgia Hall defeating world number three Lexi Thompson and Celine Boutier seeing off Annie Park 2&1. Devastating as a pair, Hall and Boutier showed they could produce the goods individually too as both secured their fourth point from four matches this week.

The middle order matches all went America’s way and put them on the brink of a triumph which would have been Juli Inkster’s third in a row as Captain. First Angel Yin beat Azahara Munoz in the fifth match, then Meghan Khang won the 18th hole to claim a half from Charley Hull.

Next up was Lizette Salas who downed Anne Van Dam by one hole, and there were easy wins for Jessica Korda, 3&2 against Caroline Masson, and Brittany Altomare, 5&4 over Jodi Ewart Shadoff.

Team USA, on 13½ points, were preparing to pop the champagne corks on the 18th green, but a dramatic finish then ensued as the final three Europeans completed a remarkable comeback.

Pettersen, whose selection by Matthew last month raised eyebrows because of her lack of competitive action since having her son at the end of 2017, struggled to hold in the emotion after winning the Solheim Cup for her team.

“Can you ask for more?” she said. “The last putt to win the Cup, when it’s that close? History was just made, to win here in front of the Scottish crowd, to be here most of all. I could never in a million years dream of this.

“I mean, to hole the winning putt, to win the Cup. Nothing beats The Solheim Cup in my career.

“I honestly didn’t know when I stood over the putt that that was to win it. It was left centre and I couldn’t have hit it any better. I’m on the best team ever.”

USA Captain Juli Inkster was philosophical after the narrow defeat, saying: “The Europeans played great. You tip your hat.

“We had a few tears. And I said it’s okay. But the bottom line is we had a great week, the Europeans played great and we’re going to have a great party.

“The sun’s going to come up tomorrow. This will give them the fuel and fire for another two years to work at their game, to be on that team, to try to get that Cup back. I just said, ‘Hold your heads up because you should not be disappointed’.”

EUROPE AND USA TIED AFTER DAY 2 OF THE SOLHEIM CUP

Photo courtesy of Solheim Cup Europe Facebook Page

From Women and Golf

It's all square, Europe 8 - USA 8 after day two of the Solheim Cup at Gleneagles, so a thrilling day of singles matches lies ahead to decide the winning team.

Unlike the first day of the Solheim Cup, players had to contend with winds gusting over 30 miles an hour over the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles today.

Europe began the second day with a slender lead, 4½–3 ½, but that lead soon disappeared when sisters Jessica and Nelly Korda continued their scintillating form from the previous day to beat the undefeated Spanish and English pairing of Carlota Ciganda and Bronte Law in a convincing fashion, 6&5.

Anna Nordqvist and Anne van Dam made a fast start against USA’s Morgan Pressel and Marina Alex and were 3up after 8 holes, but the tide changed dramatically as the Americans responded with four straight birdies to edge ahead 1up. The US pair kept the momentum going to move to three up with three holes to play, and whilst Europe pulled a hole back on the 16th, the Americans clinched victory with a par on the following hole.

Charley Hull and Azahara Munoz, who partnered each other to European success on the opening foursomes session, matched this with a 4&3 win over Danielle Kang and Meghan Khang.

Similarly, the winning European pairing of Georgia Hall and Celine Boutier impressed again, beating Lizete Salas and Amy McDonald 3&2, to complete the foursomes on level footing, 2-2, and keep the Europeans clinging onto their one point lead.

In the afternoon fourballs, Suzann Pettersen and Ann van Dam led team Europe, geeing up the crowd on the first tee, and whilst the European pair never got their noses in front of Britany Altomare and Annie Park, it was a closely fought match that van Dam extended to the 18th hole after securing a lengthy putt for a half, before the Americans won 1 up after making par on the final hole.

Europe's impressive pairing of Georgia Hall and Celine Boutier versus Ally McDonald and Angel Yin found themselves 4 down after 7 holes, but they made a gallant comeback to level the match on 16. A winning par putt from Hall took them to 1up on the par-3 17th and Boutier's birdie on 18 secured a 2up victory.

A point was shared between Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Caroline Masson and Lexi Thompson and Marina Alex. This was a see-saw match with the lead changing between both pairings, but never more than 1up. Europe's Caroline Masson had a good chance to seal the match with a birdie putt on 18, but there was a deep sigh from Captain Catriona Matthew and fellow players looking on as Masson's putt slid past.

The final match out on the course tippped in the American's favour as Lizete Salas and Danielle Kang beat the Spanish pairing of Carlota Ciganda and Azahara Munoz 2up.

At 8-8, it should be a thrilling final day with 12 singles matches to decide the contest. Europe require 14½ points to win the trophy and the USA need 14 points to retain it.

Sunday Singles:
11:40 Danielle Kang v Carlota Ciganda 
11:52 Nelly Korda v Caroline Hedwall 
12:04 Lexi Thompson v Georgia Hall 
12:16 Annie Park v Celine Boutier 
12:28 Angel Yin v Azahara Munoz 1
12:40 Megan Khang v Charley Hull 
12: 52 Lizette Salas v Anne Van Dam 
13:04 Jessica Korda v Caroline Masson 
13:16 Brittany Altomare v Jodi Ewart Shadoff 
13:28 Marina Alex v Suzann Pettersen 
13:40 Ally McDonald v Bronte Law 
13:52 Morgan Pressel v Anna Nordqvist

EUROPE LEAD AFTER DAY 1 OF THE SOLHEIM CUP -- GREAT SUPPORT BY MANY

Scottish Vets are out helping and supporting at the Solheim Cup

Europe 4.5, USA 3.5 

FROM THE EUROPEAN LADIES TOUR WEBSITE

Europe will take a narrow one point lead into the second day of the 16th Solheim Cup at the PGA Centenary course at Gleneagles.

The home team are 4 ½ – 3 ½ in front heading into the second series of foursomes and fourballs but it is the American team who have momentum on their side after a dramatic finish to the day in which they came from behind to salvage halves in both of the last two fourball matches.

The home side took a slender 2 ½ – 1 ½ lead into the fourballs but it disappeared when in the second match on the course Ally McDonald and Angel Yin, both left out of the morning foursomes, took just 13 holes to beat Swedish duo Anna Nordqvist and Caroline Hedwall 7 & 5.

The Americans good off to a fast start with birdies at the first three holes and they also birdied the fifth, ninth, tenth and 11th to increase that advantage to seven. Nordqvist did get one hole back with a birdie at the 12th before McDonald, a late replacement for the injured Stacy Lewis, closed out the match with a par on the next.

The 7 & 5 score tied the record for the biggest margin of victory in a Solheim Cup fourball, set by one of this year’s US Vice-Captains, Pat Hurst, and her partner Rosie Jones in their match against Lisa Hall and Sophie Gustafson at Muirfield Village in 1998.

“That was the year I was born,” laughed a delighted Yin.

“I would say we’re ham and eggs. We’ve always got each other’s back, no matter what, and we work together as a team, communicate well. We’re just such a good pairing.”

Her partner McDonald added: “When Juli called me in to replace Stacy, I knew it could go either way, so to be able to go into my first match and get a point for the US means a lot.”

The USA won the first fourball series 4-0 two years ago in Iowa but any hopes they had of replicating that feat disappeared when the veteran Swede, Suzann Pettersen, and the rookie Dutchwoman, Anne Van Dam, beat Danielle Kang and Lizette Salas 4 & 2. It was a significant win for Pettersen because it was her ninth Solheim Cup fourball victory, tying the European record, held by Laura Davies.

“I just want to say I had the best partner in the world today,” said the Norwegian. “I told you we don’t have any rookie on the team. I mean, this girl, I think she’s the best golfer I’ve ever seen on the women’s side. Today, she was an absolute rock star.”

Van Dam added: “Walking through that tunnel, especially to play with Suzann who has been my idol growing up, for her to say, ‘Let’s enjoy this,’ that is what I was going to do. I was just hitting it solid from the beginning. It is not an easy golf course. Even from the tee you have to hit it in the fairway. If I hit it in the rough I lose my advantage a little bit from the tee, but it was great. I’m happy I played well and I was happy and comfortable around Suzann today.”

At that stage, the Europeans were one point clear of the Americans and that is how it remained when Lexi Thompson holed a curling 25-foot birdie putt across the last green to secure a halve for her and partner Jessica Korda against Bronte Law and Carlota Ciganda.

Then, in the final match, and with the sun starting to set at the end of a long but riveting day, the Europeans, Charley Hull and Azahara Munoz, also lost the last to a birdie to tie their match with Nelly Korda and Brittany Altomare, having been four up with five to play. This time it was rookie Altomare who did the damage, also holing out from long range to keep her side within one point of their rivals.

“Those two half points at the end of the day were huge,” said US captain, Juli Inkster. “For two rookies (Nelly Korda and Altomare) to be four down with five holes left and come back and tie, you can’t teach that. It’s just in your belly. I’m just so impressed with them. It was a great end to the day.”

European captain, Catriona Matthew, said: “Obviously, we got off to a great start in the foursomes. Our objective was to win every session.

“The finish wasn’t what we were looking for, everyone’s a little disappointed with that, but I think you have to take the positives. We’re leading. We’re a point up. If we’re leading at the end of each day, that would be great.”

SOLHEIM CUP AMBASSADORS

Some photos from the Solheim Practice Round on Tuesday

Your Webmaster Carol managed to get to the practice round of the Solheim Cup on Tuesday -- Great venue and sorry not to be able to make it to support over the weekend --

Nancy and her daughter Lindsey

Maureen McKerrow - picture right

Good to meet up with past SLGA President Nancy Chisholm and her daughter Lindsey and SVLGA President Maureen McKerrow - Maureen was very much involved with the Perthshire juniors that were being introduced to golf

CLICK HER TO SEE SOME PHOTOS

THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SOLHEIM CUP

Watch the 2019 Solheim Cup Opening Ceremony  from Gleneagles, September 12 – 15.

You can watch the action LIVE on Thursday through to Sunday at the following times:

LIVE Solheim Cup Opening Ceremony 

Thurs (12.09.2019)           17:30-18:30 local (16:30-17:30gmt)

Unfortunately in this country we can not live stream the 3 days of matches!! -- PITY 

UNITED KINGDOM & IRELAND

SKY SPORTS GOLF (GMT+1) SKY SPORTS MIX

CLICK HERE TO GO TO EUROPEAN LADIES TOUR WEBSITE TO READ MORE

JUNIOR SOLHEIM CUP -- LIVE SCORING

Junior Solheim Cup Teams

The 10th edition of the PING Junior Solheim Cup is under way over the King’s Course at Gleneagles.

The match comprises three sessions – six foursomes and six four balls on day one (Tuesday 10th September) and 12 singles matches on day two (Wednesday 11th September). AFTER day 1 the USA leads 7.5 - 4.5

Following LIVE SCORING HERE. -- Singles - final Day 

Inaugurated in 2002, the PING Junior Solheim Cup is a version of The Solheim Cup for female amateurs aged 18 and under and follows a similar format to the senior event, featuring the top 12 European juniors against their American counterparts.

Scotland delivers again with Solheim Cup set up

By Martin Dempster 

The Scotsman Newspaper

Forget the muckle stand they had behind the first tee at last year’s Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in France. That may have accommodated 6,500 fans, but it wasn’t a patch for a variety of reasons on the one for the same event four years earlier at Gleneagles. And, judging by Catriona Matthew’s “wow” reaction, Scotland has delivered again with that opening-tee arena for this week’s Solheim Cup at the Perthshire venue.

Anyone who was there on the opening morning of the 2014 Ryder Cup still talk about it. Minutes before the players appeared on the first tee to get the eagerly-anticipated event underway, the sun climbed above the Ochil Hills and created a view to behold down towards Glen Devon. The weather was fantastic over the three days, playing its part in the event being a resounding success overall.

Mother Nature may have delivered a wet start this time and the remnants of Storm Dorian could be a factor on Wednesday. But, by the look of it, we could get lucky again with the weather as Scotland steps back into the golfing spotlight in particular and also draws wider attention as is always the case with big team events.

A week ago, almost 80,000 tickets had already been sold for the third Solheim Cup staging in Scotland after matches at Dalmahoy and Loch Lomond in 1992 and 2000 respectively.

It will set a new attendance record for the biennial match on this side of the Atlantic and will also be the UK’s best-attended women’s golf event. No wonder people involved in delivering what is arguably Scotland’s biggest sporting event of the year are a tad excited about the week ahead.

“Anyone who sees the size and scale of the infrastructure around the 2019 Solheim Cup will be left in no doubt that this is a major international sporting event,” said Paul Bush, director of events at Visit Scotland. “Having hosted the 2014 Ryder Cup here just five years ago, we were determined to deliver a similar infrastructure and I think people will be blown away with what we have achieved here.

“The atmosphere on the first tee will be electric and unlike anything many will have seen at a golf event before. As well as being a world-class sporting spectacle, the event will be a fully accessible family day out and that’s something we’re hugely proud of. I can’t wait to get started and to further showcase Scotland’s credentials as one of the world’s leading event destinations.”

In what ended up as a straight fight, Scotland was given the nod ahead of Sweden to stage this event after the two countries were short-listed by the Ladies European Tour from an initial 10 countries from all over Europe. That decision was announced just under four years ago and the intervening period has been spent coming up with a plan to deliver something special for players and fans alike.

“We are very proud of our role in delivering what we believe will be a spectacular event, in keeping with the remit we were set by Visit Scotland – to make this the best Solheim Cup to date,” said Ross Hallett, IMG’s executive tournament director. “Planning started more than four years ago with a team that has grown to more than 50, utilising expertise from our global resources. We are extremely proud to play a key role in the event and are excited about this week. Having focussed on the three pillars of experience, equality and innovation, I have no doubt that we will deliver both a memorable and world-class event for Scotland.”

Europe won both of those previous encounters on Scottish soil and now Matthew is aiming to keep that run going. Rarely can an honour have been more deserving in someone’s home country. The North Berwick woman has been an amazing ambassador for Scottish golf around the world over the past 30-odd years. Her Women’s British Open win in 2009 a few weeks after giving birth to her second daughter will forever be remembered in the game, as will her part in three Solheim Cup successes in nine playing appearances in the event.

Having first come across her when she was still in the amateur ranks, I count myself lucky to have reported on Matthew’s glittering career. She’ll have nothing but respect from her players and don’t worry about her being the quiet type. What’s more important when it comes to this event is bringing bags of experience and a winning mentality to the role.

Roll on Friday morning.

2019 EUROPEAN SOLHEIM CUP NAMED

Please give a warm welcome to Catriona Matthew's European Solheim Cup team 🇪🇺

Carlota Ciganda 🇪🇸 

Anne Van Dam 🇳🇱 

Caroline Hedwall 🇸🇪 

Charley Hull 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 

Georgia Hall 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 

Azahara Munoz Vickers 🇪🇸 

Caroline Masson 🇩🇪 

Anna Nordqvist 🇸🇪 

Suzann Pettersen 🇳🇴

Jodi Ewart Shadoff 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Bronte Law 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Celine Boutier 🇫🇷

HAVE TOU GOT YOUR TICKETS FOR THE SOLHEIM CUP

It’s been a fantastic summer for British sport and it’s nearly time for golf to take the baton and deliver an epic Solheim Cup at Gleneagles. From 9-15th September, the famous Scottish resort will host a carnival of golf and entertainment as Catriona Matthew’s Team Europe take on Juli Inkster’s Team USA. 

Some ticket categories are sold out but there are still some available to watch the battle unfold on the PGA Centenary Course, host of the 2014 Ryder Cup.

Click here to read more and book tickets as well

Solheim Cup 2019: Catriona Matthew Talks Scotland

Catriona Matthew MBE is one Scotland’s best known golfers, who plays mostly on the LPGA Tour and is also connected with the Ladies European Tour. She won the Ricoh Women’s British Open in 2009, has represented Europe in six previous Solheim Cup tournaments and was the vice-captain in 2017. Catriona will captain the European Team in the 2019 Solheim Cup, taking place on the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles between 9– 15 September.

Visit Scotland caught up with her recently and asked her to share some thoughts on just what is so special about Scotland and to tell us about some of her favourite places.

Read on for some ideas that could inspire your plans if you want to extend your stay before or after the Solheim Cup, or are thinking about a break in the Home of Golf

To read more  CLICK HERE

ST RULE CLUB HOST A SOLHEIM CUP MATCH

Fiona De Vries leads Team Europe - Click to enlarge

With less than 5 months till @SolheimCupEuro @GleneaglesGolf #TheStRuleClub #SolheimAmbassadorCampaign got underway to show support and awareness with a fun Solheim competition at the @TheHomeofGolf today. @ScottishGolf @VisitScotland @Beany25 can't wait!! pic.twitter.com/8qNJ0CqaLC

— fiona de vries (@FionadeVries) April 24, 2019

St Andrews gets ready for  The Solheim Cup with 60 members at the St Rule Club hosting their own 🇪🇺vs 🇺🇸 match across the golf course and putting green! 

Find out how you can get involved in Solheim activity at your club here: CLICK HERE