🔗 Share this article

Following the latest Ryder Cup victory, England Golf is calling on the government to guarantee its bid to stage the premier women's golf event on English soil for the very first occasion.

This prestigious competition between the best women players from Europe and the United States has been held twice in Scotland as well as once in Wales yet never in England. An official proposal has been put together to stage it at The Grove in Hertfordshire in 2030.

But coordinators need £30m to finance the bid and currently just ten million pounds is in place. England Golf is pressing for government funding to underwrite the funding gap.

Funding Requirements and Timeline

Talks to obtain Treasury backing commenced earlier this year however a resolution on whether backing will be granted is time-sensitive. The hosting rights for the 2030 event are owned by the International Management Group who demand an answer by the end of this month.

Per the bid document, the organizing committee asserts that winning the hosting rights "offers substantial returns for the country".

Executive Viewpoint

"We maintain presently it's appropriate for the Solheim Cup should come in England," stated the CEO of England Golf.

He added: "We've provided numerous competitors through the years and maintain this tradition, such as Charley Hull, Georgia Hall, or Lottie Woad."

Financial Benefits and Effects

Concerning the advantages to public finance, the executive explained: "The Ryder Cup demonstrated the significant influence that premier competitions can have with regards to economic development."

He expanded: "That's certainly what we believe may transpire from a Solheim Cup perspective, including the expenditure that would occur throughout the tournament or the employment opportunities."

• Local economic stimulation
• Work opportunities
• Tourism increase
• Increased golf engagement

Women in Sports Aspect

"Female athletics is exactly right where we should be focusing at present, ensuring that sports become the most equitable opportunity for men and women," he stressed.

"We've seen how the Ryder Cup helps golf. We've seen what the Ryder Cup impacts the men's game."

Venue Information

The proposed location is located in Hertfordshire and is ideally positioned to draw fans from Greater London.

This facility has organized premier competitions and boasts accommodation options suitable for the needs to organize an event such as this magnitude.

Funding Details

To stage the men's equivalent on European soil would cost over four hundred million pounds however for the women's event it is around thirty million pounds.

"We require circa £20m in public funding to support the bid," the representative confirmed.

"This amount in addition to existing substantial funding from both venue and ourselves including further investors we plan to contribute."

Time Sensitivity

The spokesperson declined to confirm that discussions are at a standstill, but confirmed: "Certainly there exists a dilemma at the moment with regards to whether public authorities can support such tournaments."

"They have shown, including international sports, or female competitions, that they are ready to invest public money for specific tournaments."

"I believe should we receive supportive decision in the coming weeks, it would enable us to win the hosting rights to be staged in England."

He finished: "We currently lack the money right now; our proposal doesn't move forward. It could change tomorrow with the thumbs up, yet the deadline remains urgent."

Official Position

Official pre-election commitments before the last election declared support to staging global tournaments and seeking additional chances to encourage the next generation of talent while encouraging exercise and healthy living.

Following inquiries for response, a representative for the Department of Media, Culture and Sport commented: "Britain maintains international standing in organizing significant competitions and we intend to maintain this."

"Hosting tournaments within the country captures imaginations, increases engagement and boosts local economies."

"There exists an impressive schedule of tournaments in the near future, including cricket events two years from now through to assisting efforts to organize the Fifa Women's World Cup in the future."

"Funding for hosting attempts will consider multiple factors including how far they help create social and economic benefits for the UK."