Solheim Cup 2011
September 2011 seen the top Ladies’ golfers from USA and Europe pit their wits in a three-day tournament among the resplendent surroundings of Killeen Castle, County Meath, with the european ladies following in the footsteps of the european mens team, by adding the Solheim Cup to the trophy cabinet.
It was on the landscaped Jack Nicklaus signature course, that the two teams of 12 battled to win the Solheim Cup and their place at the pinnacle of ladies golf.
Watching the best of the best strut their stuff was likely to inspire you to grab a game yourself. Ireland has some fantastic, world-class courses that guarantee a challenge, and the buzz doesn’t end on the green either. There’s plenty of eating, drinking and being merry options to make for a memorable 19th Hole.
The Solheim Cup
The Solheim Cup will welcome the finest ladies golfers from the U.S. and Europe for three days of fighting tooth, nail and putter. The U.S. have won the tournament eight times to Europe’s three, making this Europe’s chance to claw back some ground on home soil. Team captains Alison Nicholas (Europe) and Rosie Jones (U.S.) will lead their teams of 12 in what promises to be one of the sporting events of the year. Details of the event, history and tickets are on the official website.
19th Hole
Whether you’ve spent the day witnessing the best of ladies golf or you’ve been pounding the fairways yourself – there’s a 19th hole in County Meath with your name on it. Elegant eateries in the area include Bellinter House in Navan, Jules Restaurant in Trim and Tankardstown House’s Brabazon Restaurant in Slane. Of course you’ll need to wash all this down with a nightcap – head for the traditional O’Dwyer’s Pub in Dunboyne or the cozy Village Inn in Slane. After all, a good 18 holes deserve a great 19th.
Golfing in Ireland
Golfing in Ireland is many things. It’s scenic, it’s challenging, it’s great value, and most of all – it’s memorable. Considering what wonderful golf trips are possible for visitors, we’d like to add: it’s easy to plan too! Our dedicated page brings together tee times, a list of courses, holiday deals and golfing events all at your fingertips. Your next round in Ireland is literally a click away.
On the doorstep
Don’t forget that beyond the tournament, there’s a whole county out there to explore! Meath packs some of Ireland’s most historic sites, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Newgrange and the Hill of Tara. North along the River Boyne you’ll find the heritage town of Trim, complete with medieval history and castle. Then there’s the Republic’s capital city of Dublin, a hotbed of bars, shopping, museums and galleries, and now a UNESCO City of Literature – just 40 minutes away from Killeen Castle.
Ireland's Courses
Ireland’s greens are world-renowned for good reason. They’ve been host to many a major tournament, from the Ryder Cup in the K Club, to the WGC-American Express Championship in Mount Juliet and the Open Championship in Royal Portrush. The New York Times and Travel + Leisure have lauded Northern Ireland’s courses, as our blog discovered. Whether it’s our world-famous links, challenging parkland or hidden gems offering superb value – every course will make you feel like a winner.
Other Golf Events
Solheim is not the only highlight of our calendar. From PGA EuroPro Tour to The Irish Open, the play continues for the rest of the year, attracting some of the game’s greatest golfers as well as its most passionate fans. Browse all our golfing events and perhaps you’ll pencil in a golf event for your next visit to Ireland.
