England Golf has reignited its campaign to bring the Solheim Cup to English soil and is now pressing the government for financial assistance to underpin a bid for the 2030 edition. While the prestigious women’s team competition has already visited seven European nations, it has never been staged in England, and the venue for the 2030 tournament – the next Solheim Cup to be held in Europe – remains undecided.
A number of clubs have signalled their interest in hosting the event, with The Grove in Hertfordshire emerging as a leading candidate. However, any successful application would require public funding, as private investment alone has not yet materialised. England Golf’s chief executive, Jeremy Tomlinson, argues that the biennial contest could deliver "immeasurable good" for the sport, and he is confident that government backing would make the difference.
"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 bids and that, with a modest amount of state support, England could finally host the tournament for the first time. "We’re 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 here." He noted that staging a Solheim Cup costs less than one‑tenth of what a Ryder Cup requires, making it a more affordable showcase for women’s golf. Nonetheless, the lack of a private entrepreneur willing to underwrite the entire event means the organization is looking to the government to step in. "It’s always easier when an entrepreneur can underwrite the whole event, but we haven’t had that yet," he explained.
"We are somewhat dependent on government to be able to step forward and help us. We have some discussions with them right now and they are positive, they are constructive. It’s a lot of money that 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 a promotion of an incredible sport could be dynamic." The recent Solheim Cup, in which Team Europe reclaimed the trophy with a 15‑13 victory at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands, underscored the competition’s growing appeal.
The win was celebrated by a packed grandstand and featured three English players on the winning side, highlighting the depth of talent in the United Kingdom. Tomlinson pointed out that golf participation has surged since the pandemic.
"Golf has continued to boom since the pandemic, there is no two ways about that," he said. "We have in excess of 12 and a half million people just in England who, in some way, shape or form, touch golf or participate in golf." He emphasized that while many women enjoy playing golf informally, the sport needs visible role models to draw more girls and women onto courses.
"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 ripple effect far beyond a single tournament.
It would raise the profile of women’s sport, inspire the next generation of players, and generate significant economic activity for the host region. The event would attract international media, tourism, and sponsorship, providing a boost to local businesses and showcasing England as a premier sporting destination. The government’s potential involvement is seen as a strategic investment.
By underwriting part of the bid, the state could leverage the event’s promotional power to achieve broader social and economic objectives, such as increasing female participation in sport, promoting health and wellbeing, and reinforcing England’s reputation for hosting world‑class events. While the next Solheim Cup after 2030 is already scheduled for 2028 at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky, the 2030 edition on European soil remains a coveted prize for England Golf. The organization hopes that, with a combination of club enthusiasm, partnership with IMG and the Ladies European Tour, and constructive dialogue with UK Sport and the Department for Media, Culture and Sport, a viable and compelling bid can be presented.
In summary, England Golf is urging the government to provide the necessary financial backing to turn the long‑standing ambition of hosting the Solheim Cup into reality. The bid promises not only a historic sporting moment for England but also lasting benefits for women's golf, community health, and the national economy. The hope is that, with public support, England will finally welcome the Solheim Cup and set a new benchmark for women's sport in the country.