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Author:
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Solheim Cup: It's history and the best Solheim Cup golf courses!

13 September 2023
6 min. read
Jeroen Korving
The Solheim Cup combines the tradition and prestige of the game of golf with passion for one’s country and continent. In 2021 this event took place at the Inverness Club in Ohio (USA) and Team Europe secured a second victory on US soil as they clinched a 15-13 win over Team USA. In 2023 this event will be held at Finca Cortesín (Spain). To warm up for this great event and to inspire European golfers, we have listed all the European Solheim Cup venues. Why not book a tee time on of these Solheim Cup courses and feel like a real pro!
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Europe was the winning Solheim Cup team in 2019 and in 2021 (photo credit: Tristan Jones, LET)

2023 Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesín

Set to host the prestigious international women’s professional golf team event for the first time in the tournament’s history, Spain is no stranger to staging high-profile golf events with a rich history in both the men’s and women’s game, hosting the Ryder Cup in 1997 and staging many events on the LET and LETAS calendar.

Following in the footsteps of Scotland as the most recent destination to host the memorable match-play competition on European soil in 2019 Spain becomes the sixth European nation to play host to the greatest team event in women’s golf following previous countries including; Wales, Sweden, Ireland and Germany. 

Finca Cortesin, bookable online via Leading Courses, will host the 2023 Solheim Cup. It is considered one of the best golf courses in Spain. The privileged location of the layout will make a player enjoy wonderful views of the Mediterranean sea and mountains. Finca Cortesin has been rated as Europe's #1 golf resort on four occasions and has ranked in Spain's top 3 of the Golfers' Choice Rankings for best golf club and best golf course for years running. 

The best European Solheim Cup venues

The Solheim Cup has been held 16 times, so eight European golf clubs have hosted this event as it is played alternately in the USA and Europe. Below all the European Solheim Cup golf clubs are shown who hosted the Solheim Cup - including Finca Cortesin - listed by the rating given by golfers on Leading Courses (until Aug 2023).

1. Loch Lomond Golf Club - host in 2000

Loch Lomond Golf Club hosted the Solheim Cup in 2000. Loch Lomond was designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish and opened for play in 1993. If you want to play here, then you need to find a member who is willing to introduce you as this club is private.

2. Finca Cortesín - host in 2023 

Finca Cortesín will host the Solheim Cup in 2023. The Cabell B. Robinson designed course is always in pristine condition and has many bunkers. in 2017 it became the first golf course in Spain to feature a new, environmentally-friendly type of Bermuda grass on all its putting surfaces. 

3. Killeen Castle Golf Club - host in 2011

Killeen Castle Golf Club hosted the Solheim Cup in 2011 and is home to a spectacular and challenging Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course. It is one of the best parkland courses in Ireland. Many golfers indicate that this is a hidden gem with still an acceptable green fee. Views are great and the castle just adds that little extra touch.

4. The Gleneagles Hotel - host in 2019

The Gleneagles Hotel hosted the Solheim Cup in 2019 after hosting The Ryder Cup in 2014. Gleneagles is home to three 18 hole courses (PGA Centenary, King's Course and the Queen's Course). The Wee Course is a 9-hole course. According to reviewers on Leadingcourses, the King's Course is the best.

5. Halmstad Golfklubb - host in 2007

In 2007 the Norra Banan (or North Course) hosted the Solheim Cup at Halmstad Golfklubb. The Halmstad Golf Club was founded in 1930 and during the years many alterations took place which finally led to the current Norra or North Course. The North Course is the most famous course of Halmstad and consists of the last 9 holes of the original old course. In 1975, the first holes of the old course were also extended and now form the Södra course.

6. Barsebäck Golf & Country Club - host in 2003

Barsebäck Golf & Country Club hosted the Solheim Cup in 2003. This golf club is located in Sweden in the province of Skåne and is home to two 18-hole courses, the Pines and Ocean Course and a 9-hole course, called the Ace course. The Ocean course is rated highest and was also the course where the Solheim Cup was held.

7. Golf Club St. Leon-Rot - host in 2015

Golf Club St. Leon Rot welcomed the Solheim Cup in 2015. St. Leon Rot was founded in 1996 and has two 18-hole courses (St. Leon and Rot), a 9-hole course and a 5-hole course for kids. Golfers on Leadingcourses favor the Rot (Parkland) course slightly higher than the St. Leon (inland links) course.

8. St Pierre Marriott Hotel & Country Club - host in 1996

St Pierre has hosted the Dunlop Masters and the Curtis Cup and in 1996 staged the Solheim Cup between the USA and Europe. St Pierre has two 18-hole golf course, the Championship Course and the Mathern Course. When visiting St Pierre, make sure to play the Championship Course (also known as the Old Course). It's rated much higher than the Mathern course and it was this course where the Solheim Cup was played.

9. Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club - host in 1992

Impressively situated in 1,000 acres of parkland lies the four-star Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club which hosted the Solheim Cup back in 1992. Dalmahoy offers spectacular views to Edinburgh Castle and the Forth Bridges, which makes it a celebration of Scottish heritage. The Dalmahoy East Course was host of the Solheim Cup, the West Course however is rated just as high as his 'bigger' brother.

The history of the Solheim Cup

The first Solheim Cup was staged in 1990 at the Lake Nona Golf & Country Club (USA), while the latest Solheim Cup took place in 2021, at the Inverness Club in Ohio (USA). In that year the European Team won the Waterford Crystal trophy by 15 to 13 points. Team USA currently holds a 10-7 lead heading into The 2021 Solheim Cup.

The Solheim Cup is a biennial, transatlantic team match-play competition for women, featuring the 12 best European players from the Ladies European Tour (LET) and the 12 best U.S. players from the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour. The Solheim Cup is the women's equivalent of the Ryder Cup and is named after the Norwegian-American golf club manufacturers Karsten and Louise Solheim, the founders of Karsten Manufacturing Corporation known for making PING golf equipment. They were the driving force behind the creation of the Solheim Cup.

Initially the Solheim Cup was held in even numbered years until 2002, in alternating years with the Ryder Cup. Following the September 11 attacks, the Solheim Cup switched to odd numbered years beginning in 2003. Another reshuffle of team golf events took place in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Solheim Cup will return to even numbered years from 2024. So this will be the only year when both the Solheim Cup and the Ryder Cup are held in the same year. 

About the author
Biography
Founder of Leading Courses. The idea for Leading Courses sparked at The European Club in Ireland. My aim is to play between a hcp of 10-15 (always). I really enjoy exploring new countries and finding hidden gems. Aside from golf, I love football, tennis and skiing!
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