England Golf has reignited its campaign to secure the Solheim Cup for England and is now calling on the government to provide financial assistance for a bid to host the 2030 tournament. Although the Solheim Cup has traveled to seven different European nations, England has never been a host, and the venue for the 2030 edition— the next time the competition will be staged in Europe—has yet to be decided. Several clubs have stepped forward with interest, most notably The Grove in Hertfordshire, but any successful application will require public funding in the absence of a private backer willing to underwrite the event.
England Golf’s chief executive, Jeremy Tomlinson, says the biennial contest could deliver "immeasurable good" for the sport and for the country if it were brought to English soil. "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 help, a historic first‑time English host could become a reality.
"We’re working with clubs, with IMG and the Ladies European Tour, and we have ongoing talks with UK Sport," Tomlinson explained. "I don’t want to reveal too much, but we feel very positive and would love to bring the event to England." He noted that the cost of staging a Solheim Cup is a fraction—less than one‑tenth—of the outlay required for a Ryder Cup, the male counterpart. This financial disparity makes a government guarantee particularly attractive, as the organizers have yet to find an entrepreneur willing to fully underwrite the tournament.
"It’s always easier when an entrepreneur steps in and underwrites the whole event, but we haven’t had that yet," Tomlinson said. "We are somewhat dependent upon government to step forward and help us. We have some discussions with them right now and they are positive, they are constructive." He stressed that while the upfront costs are significant, the broader benefits could be substantial. "It’s a lot of money you need to be able to put this on, but we truly believe—and I think the government feels it as well—that the returns from a feel‑good factor and the promotion of an incredible sport could be dynamic." The Solheim Cup’s recent success underscores this optimism: Team Europe reclaimed the trophy with a 15‑13 win at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands, and three of the victorious players were English, highlighting the depth of talent in the country.
Tomlinson pointed to the post‑pandemic surge in golf participation as further evidence of the sport’s growth. "Golf has continued to boom since the pandemic, there is no two ways about that," he said. "We have in excess of 12.5 million people in England who, in some way, touch golf or participate in it." He noted that while many women enjoy golf informally, fewer translate that interest into regular play on courses.
"We need heroes and role models to inspire more women and girls to come to the courses," he added. The England Golf chief believes that hosting the Solheim Cup could serve as a catalyst for that inspiration.
"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," Tomlinson said.
The organization is coordinating with multiple stakeholders, including the Ladies European Tour, IMG, and UK Sport, to craft a compelling bid. They are also engaging with potential host venues across the country to ensure that the facilities meet the tournament’s standards for spectator capacity, media infrastructure, and player amenities.
The goal is to present a unified, financially viable proposal that demonstrates both the economic impact—through tourism, hospitality, and broadcast revenue—and the social impact, such as increased participation among women and youth. While the next Solheim Cup will be contested in 2028 at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky, England Golf hopes to secure the 2030 edition, positioning the event as a showcase for English hospitality and a boost for the domestic golf industry. If successful, the tournament could attract thousands of fans, generate significant media coverage, and leave a lasting legacy of enhanced facilities and heightened interest in women’s golf throughout the United Kingdom.
Sky Sports News has reached out to the Department for Media, Culture and Sport for comment on the proposed government involvement. The outcome of those discussions could determine whether England becomes the next European host for the prestigious competition, marking a milestone for English golf and offering a platform to celebrate and grow the women’s game.