England Golf has reignited its campaign to secure the Solheim Cup for England and is now appealing to the government for financial assistance to underpin 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 European-hosted event – remains undecided. Several clubs have signaled interest in becoming the host site, with The Grove in Hertfordshire among the frontrunners.
However, any successful application will require public funding, as private investment alone has not yet materialised. England Golf’s chief executive, Jeremy Tomlinson, says the discussions about the next European venue are ongoing, and he is confident that bringing the biennial competition to England would generate "immeasurable good" for the sport.
"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 multiple clubs are eager to put forward proposals and that a modest amount of government support could make the historic first English edition a reality. "We're working with clubs, we're working with IMG and the Ladies European Tour and we have talks ongoing with UK Sport. I don't want to say too much, but we're feeling really positive about things and we would love to be able to bring it to England," Tomlinson said.
Financially, staging a Solheim Cup is far less demanding than hosting a Ryder Cup, the male counterpart. Tomlinson hopes the government will underwrite the bid, noting that the cost of a Solheim Cup is "less than a tenth" of the amount needed for a Ryder Cup. He explained that while a private entrepreneur could theoretically fund the entire event, no such backer has yet emerged, leaving the organization dependent on public assistance. "We are somewhat dependent upon 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," he said. "It’s a lot of money that you need to be able to put this on, but we truly believe – and I think 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 saw Team Europe reclaim the trophy with a 15‑13 win at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands, a match that drew a packed grandstand and featured three English players on the victorious side. That victory underscores the growing popularity of women’s golf in the UK, a trend Tomlinson believes can be amplified by hosting the event.
"Golf has continued to boom since the pandemic, there is no two ways about that," he noted. "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." Tomlinson emphasized the importance of role models for women and girls.
"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." He argued that a Solheim Cup on English soil would provide those heroes, delivering a "proud moment" for the nation and a catalyst for increased participation among women and girls.
"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," he said. The government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has been approached for comment, and officials have yet to respond publicly. Meanwhile, the next Solheim Cup after 2028 will be contested at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky from September 8‑10, 2028, before the 2030 European bid is decided. If successful, the English edition could serve as a showcase for the country’s world‑class facilities, boost tourism, and reinforce the UK’s reputation as a hub for elite sporting events.
It could also provide a platform for local sponsors, broadcasters, and community programmes to engage with a global audience. The anticipated economic impact would extend beyond the immediate tournament, potentially spurring investment in grassroots initiatives, facility upgrades, and youth development schemes.
In summary, England Golf’s renewed push for the 2030 Solheim Cup hinges on securing government backing to complement private interest from clubs like The Grove. With the sport’s post‑pandemic surge, a growing base of female players, and the proven financial feasibility of the event, the case for an English Solheim Cup appears compelling. The outcome of the ongoing negotiations will determine whether England can finally host this prestigious women’s golf competition, delivering lasting benefits for the sport and for women’s athletics across the nation.