Audacious bid to bring golf’s Solheim Cup to Yorkshire is rejected by organisers

The historic Ganton Golf Club near Scarborough was expected to be on the shortlist of venues in the running to host the 2019 Solheim Cup, a biennial event between the best female players from Europe and America.

However officials were dealt a blow when they were informed that the submission had been rejected. No explanation was provided by the Ladies European Tour which is responsible for the event.

Even though the event has never been staged in England since its inauguration in 1990, it is understood that Ganton has lost out to rival bids from Scotland and Sweden – two countries which have previously hosted the Solheim Cup on a number of occasions.

It is understood officials from Welcome to Yorkshire and Ganton Golf Club are now seeking a further explanation in writing about the decision, and how it was reached.

A spokesperson for the tourism agency said: “Welcome to Yorkshire and Ganton had submitted a bid to host the Solheim Cup in 2019.

“We presented a strong bid and are of course disappointed that the organisers have decided to proceed with other bids.

“We wish them every success with this year’s tournament in Germany and the bidding process for 2019.”

Ganton would have been a formidable test – it is a course steeped in golf history and

played host to the 1949 Ryder Cup.

However it was also hoped that a successful bid would have provided the East Coast with an unrivalled marketing opportunity; the Solheim Cup continues to grow in popularity and attracts a massive television audiences.

A major boost to the profile of women’s sport ahead of golf’s inclusion in the Olympics next year, the Solheim Cup was also intended to be a catalyst for long-awaited improvements to the A64 between York and Scarborough.