England Golf has reignited its campaign to secure the Solheim Cup for England and is now appealing to the government for financial assistance to back a bid for the 2030 tournament. The Solheim Cup, the premier women’s team competition in golf, has visited seven different European nations but has never been staged in England.
The venue for the 2030 edition – the next time the event will be held on European soil – has yet to be confirmed. A number of courses have signaled their interest in hosting the event, with The Grove in Hertfordshire emerging as a leading candidate.
However, any successful application will require public funding, as private investors have not yet stepped forward to underwrite the entire cost. England Golf’s chief executive, Jeremy Tomlinson, believes that bringing the biennial contest to England would deliver "immeasurable good" for the sport and for the broader 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 several clubs are eager to put forward proposals and that, with a modest amount of government support, England could finally host the tournament for the first time. "We are working with clubs, with IMG, with the Ladies European Tour, and we have ongoing talks with UK Sport," Tomlinson said. "I don’t want to reveal too much, but we feel very positive and would love to bring the event to England." He emphasized that the cost of staging a Solheim Cup is a fraction of the expense required for a Ryder Cup – less than one‑tenth – and that a government guarantee could make the difference between a successful bid and a missed opportunity.
"It’s always easier when an entrepreneur steps in and underwrites the whole event, but we haven’t had that yet," Tomlinson explained. "We are somewhat dependent on the government to step forward. We are currently in discussions with them and the tone has been constructive and positive." According to Tomlinson, the financial outlay is substantial, but the potential returns are equally compelling. He argues that the event would generate a "feel‑good" factor and promote an incredible sport, delivering dynamic benefits for the economy and for women's participation in athletics.
Recent on‑course success adds momentum to the campaign. Team Europe reclaimed the Solheim Cup with a 15‑13 victory at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands, where a packed grandstand welcomed the players. Notably, three members of the winning side, including Anna Nordqvist, hailed from England, underscoring the nation’s talent pool. "Golf has continued to boom since the pandemic, there is no two ways about that," Tomlinson noted.
"We have over 12.5 million people in England who, in one way or another, engage with golf." He highlighted that many women enjoy playing golf informally, away from traditional courses, and that the sport needs visible role models to draw more girls and women onto the course. "We would love to see more women and girls come to the golf courses, but they need heroes and inspiration," he said. "If we could secure the Solheim Cup, it would do immeasurable good for the game and for women in sport.
It would be a very, very proud moment for England." The government’s Department for Media, Culture and Sport has been contacted for comment. Meanwhile, the next Solheim Cup after 2028 will be contested at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky from September 8‑10, 2028. England Golf hopes that, with adequate public backing, the 2030 edition can be the first to grace English soil, creating a historic milestone for the sport and offering a lasting legacy for future generations of female golfers. In summary, the bid hinges on securing government underwriting to complement private investment, leveraging England’s strong golf participation base, and capitalising on the growing popularity of women’s golf.
If successful, the event could attract record crowds, boost tourism, and inspire a new wave of female athletes, cementing England’s place on the international golf calendar.