England Golf has reignited its campaign to secure the Solheim Cup for England and is now appealing to the government for financial support to back a bid for the 2030 tournament. Although the Solheim Cup has visited seven different European nations, it has never been staged in England, and the venue for the 2030 edition – the next time the event will be held on European soil – remains undecided. Several courses have put their names forward, with The Grove in Hertfordshire among the most vocal candidates. However, any successful application will require public funding, as private investment alone has not yet materialised.
England Golf’s chief executive, Jeremy Tomlinson, says that hosting the biennial competition would deliver "immeasurable good" for the sport and for the wider community. "The Solheim Cup is in a really good place and it's going to get bigger," Tomlinson told Sky Sports.
"I honestly think if we bring the Solheim Cup to England we can double, maybe even treble the crowds." He added that a number of clubs are eager to put forward proposals and that, with a modest amount of government assistance, England could finally host the event for the first time. "We’re working with clubs, with IMG and the Ladies European Tour, and we have ongoing talks with UK Sport. I don’t want to reveal too much, but we feel very positive and would love to bring it to England," he said. Financially, staging a Solheim Cup is far less demanding than organising a Ryder Cup, the male counterpart.
Tomlinson hopes the government will underwrite the bid, creating a historic moment on English soil. "It’s always easier when an entrepreneur steps in and underwrites the whole event, but that hasn’t happened yet," he explained. "We are somewhat dependent on government to step forward and help us.
Our discussions with them are positive and constructive." The cost factor is significant, yet Tomlinson believes the return on investment will be substantial. He argues that the tournament can generate a "feel‑good" effect and promote an incredible sport, delivering dynamic benefits for the nation. "It’s a lot of money you need to put on the table, but we truly believe – and I think the government feels it as well – that the returns from a feel‑good factor and promotion of an incredible sport could be dynamic," he said. Team Europe reclaimed the Solheim Cup with a 15‑13 win at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands, a match that saw a packed grandstand and three English players on the victorious side.
The victory underscored the growing popularity of women's golf across the UK. Tomlinson highlighted the post‑pandemic boom in golf participation.
"Golf has continued to boom since the pandemic, there is no two ways about that," he noted. "We have in excess of 12.5 million people just in England who, in some way, shape or form, touch golf or participate in golf." He stressed that many women enjoy playing golf outside of traditional courses and that the sport needs visible role models to attract more girls and women to the club environment. "We have an incredible amount of women that enjoy playing golf away from golf courses. We'd love more women, more girls to be able to come to the golf courses, but they need to have heroes and they need to have people to inspire them," Tomlinson said.
According to England Golf, securing the Solheim Cup would have a transformative impact on women's sport and on golf itself. "We truly believe that if we could get the Solheim Cup, it could do immeasurable good for the game of golf and for women in sport.
It would be a very, very proud moment," he affirmed. The next Solheim Cup after 2024 will be held in 2028 at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky, USA, from September 8‑10. The 2030 edition, which will be the next European host, is still up for grabs, and England Golf hopes that a combination of club enthusiasm, partnership with the Ladies European Tour, and government backing will tip the scales in England’s favour. Beyond the immediate financial considerations, Tomlinson argues that the event would boost tourism, create jobs, and inspire a new generation of players.
The influx of international media, spectators, and associated hospitality services would inject millions into the local economy. Moreover, the visibility of top‑level women golfers competing on English soil could accelerate grassroots participation, particularly among young girls who might otherwise lack exposure to elite sport.
In summary, England Golf is making a concerted effort to secure the 2030 Solheim Cup, leveraging club interest, strategic partnerships, and a compelling case for public investment. The organization believes that with the right support, England can host a landmark event that not only showcases world‑class women's golf but also delivers lasting social and economic benefits across the country.