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. Although the Solheim Cup has travelled to seven different European nations, it has never been staged on English soil, and the venue for the 2030 edition – the next European-hosted event – remains undecided. Several courses have signalled interest in hosting the competition, with The Grove in Hertfordshire emerging as a leading candidate.
However, any successful application will require public funding, as private investment alone has not yet materialised. England Golf’s chief executive, Jeremy Tomlinson, is optimistic that the biennial contest could deliver "immeasurable good" for the sport if it were to be held in England. "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 modest government support, the event could finally arrive in England for the first time. "We’re working with clubs, we’re working 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 the Cup to England," he said.
Financially, staging a Solheim Cup is considerably cheaper than organising a Ryder Cup – the men’s equivalent – costing less than one‑tenth of the amount required for the latter. Tomlinson hopes the government will underwrite the bid, creating a historic milestone for English golf.
"It’s always easier when an entrepreneur steps forward and can underwrite the whole event, but we haven’t had that 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 of hosting the tournament is significant, yet Tomlinson believes the potential returns—both in terms of a feel‑good factor and the promotion of a world‑class sport—are substantial. He argues that a successful Solheim Cup would generate dynamic benefits for the economy, tourism, and the broader perception of women's sport in the UK.
Recent on‑course success adds momentum to the bid. Team Europe reclaimed the Solheim Cup with a 15‑13 win at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands, a match witnessed by a packed grandstand and featuring three English players on the victorious side. That triumph underscores the growing popularity of women's golf in the region.
"Golf has continued to boom since the pandemic, there is no two ways about that," Tomlinson noted. "We have in excess of 12.5 million people just in England who, in some way, touch or participate in golf." He highlighted that many women engage with golf outside traditional courses, and that the sport needs visible role models to inspire the next generation. "We have an incredible amount of women who enjoy playing golf away from the courses. We’d love more women, more girls to come onto the courses, but they need heroes and inspiration," he said.
According to Tomlinson, securing the Solheim Cup would provide exactly that: a high‑profile showcase that could spark interest among girls and women, encouraging them to pick up a club and pursue the game seriously. "We at England Golf 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 government’s role could be pivotal. By providing seed funding or guarantees, it would reduce the financial risk for private sponsors and demonstrate a commitment to gender equality in sport.
Such backing could also unlock additional corporate partnerships, further reducing the fiscal burden on the host venue. Beyond the immediate economic impact—ticket sales, hospitality, tourism—there are longer‑term benefits. Hosting the Solheim Cup would place England on the global map as a premier destination for elite women's golf, potentially attracting future tournaments, training academies, and international events. It would also align with broader policy goals around sport participation, health, and community cohesion.
In the broader context, the next Solheim Cup after 2028 will be contested at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky from September 8‑10, 2028. The 2030 edition, therefore, presents a timely opportunity for England to step forward and claim the spotlight. If the bid succeeds, it would mark the first time the competition lands in England, adding a new chapter to the tournament’s history and providing a platform for English players to perform in front of a home crowd.
Sky Sports News has reached out to the Department of Media, Culture and Sport for comment on the proposed government involvement. The outcome of those discussions could shape the future of women’s golf in the UK and set a precedent for public‑private collaboration in major sporting events. In summary, England Golf is making a concerted effort to secure the 2030 Solheim Cup, leveraging recent on‑course successes, a growing grassroots base, and the potential economic and social benefits of hosting a marquee women's sporting event.
With government backing, the bid could become a reality, delivering a historic moment for English sport and inspiring a new generation of female golfers.