2011 SOLHEIM CUP AWARDED TO KILLEEN CASTLE, IRELAND
At a Press Conference at The National Museum, Dublin today, Alexandra Armas, Executive Director of The Ladies European Tour (LET), announced that the 2011 Solheim Cup would take place at Killeen Castle, County Meath, Ireland.
A new five-year agreement was also announced between LET and Failte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, to stage a new and important tournament on The Ladies European Tour, The Irish Ladies Open. This will commence in 2008.
Alexandra Armas said: “The Solheim Cup has grown rapidly over the last few years never more notably than in 2003, when it was held at Barseback in Sweden. Sweden was an outstanding success for us with over 100,000 spectators, live TV coverage in Europe and the United States. Swedish companies were also generous with their sponsorship.
"Such was the acclaim of Sweden in 2003 the LET decided to take The Solheim Cup back there in 2007. This time to Halmstad Golf Club (between Malmo and Gothenburg) we anticipate that Sweden will again take The Solheim Cup to a higher level. So we at the LET were faced with choosing a venue for 2011, one which could build on the great achievement of Sweden.
“To demonstrate the interest that has now built up around the Solheim Cup we were delighted to receive bids from seven different countries. These were (alphabetical order): England, Ireland, Italy, Northern Ireland, Norway, Scotland and Spain. Each bid was strong. Good courses, sound financial structure and some receiving considerable government support.
"We have chosen Ireland and Killeen Castle for a number of reasons. The first of which is the superb way the whole nation supported The Ryder Cup in September. The second is that we believe the modern Ireland is a young vibrant society compatible with the image we wish to promote for ladies golf. It is true that Ireland does not have a great history in ladies professional golf, but we firmly believe that the decision we have taken to come to Ireland will help to change that.”
At a Press Conference at The National Museum, Dublin today, Alexandra Armas, Executive Director of The Ladies European Tour (LET), announced that the 2011 Solheim Cup would take place at Killeen Castle, County Meath, Ireland.
A new five-year agreement was also announced between LET and Failte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, to stage a new and important tournament on The Ladies European Tour, The Irish Ladies Open. This will commence in 2008.
Alexandra Armas said: “The Solheim Cup has grown rapidly over the last few years never more notably than in 2003, when it was held at Barseback in Sweden. Sweden was an outstanding success for us with over 100,000 spectators, live TV coverage in Europe and the United States. Swedish companies were also generous with their sponsorship.
"Such was the acclaim of Sweden in 2003 the LET decided to take The Solheim Cup back there in 2007. This time to Halmstad Golf Club (between Malmo and Gothenburg) we anticipate that Sweden will again take The Solheim Cup to a higher level. So we at the LET were faced with choosing a venue for 2011, one which could build on the great achievement of Sweden.
“To demonstrate the interest that has now built up around the Solheim Cup we were delighted to receive bids from seven different countries. These were (alphabetical order): England, Ireland, Italy, Northern Ireland, Norway, Scotland and Spain. Each bid was strong. Good courses, sound financial structure and some receiving considerable government support.
"We have chosen Ireland and Killeen Castle for a number of reasons. The first of which is the superb way the whole nation supported The Ryder Cup in September. The second is that we believe the modern Ireland is a young vibrant society compatible with the image we wish to promote for ladies golf. It is true that Ireland does not have a great history in ladies professional golf, but we firmly believe that the decision we have taken to come to Ireland will help to change that.”
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