Inverness Club Selected to Host the 2021 Solheim Cup

TOLEDO, Ohio, November 9, 2016– The 2021 Solheim Cup is headed to the renowned Inverness Club, in Toledo, Ohio, the LPGA announced today. Inverness will play host to the 17th edition of the Solheim Cup, pitting the best players from the United States against the best from Europe.

“We’re thrilled to have Inverness host the 2021 Solheim Cup,” said LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan. “Inverness is one of the premier venues in golf and will serve as a great test for a match-play competition. Additionally, Toledo has been part of the LPGA family for over 30 years and we can’t wait to see the excitement, enthusiasm and hospitality that this great community will undoubtedly bring for the Solheim Cup.”

The Donald Ross-designed Inverness Club boasts a major championship pedigree having hosted many of the premier championships in golf including four U.S. Opens (1920, 1931, 1957, 1979), two PGA Championships (1986, 1993) and, most recently, the 2003 & 2011 U.S. Senior Open Championships.

“Inverness Club and its members are thrilled to have been selected to host the 2021 Solheim Cup,” said Inverness club president Steve Mitchell. “Our historic Donald Ross-designed course has been host to six major championships and fi ve national championships and I’m especially proud that this tradition will now be elevated to include the biggest event in women’s golf.”

The 2021 Solheim Cup will continue to build on the strong history and tradition of LPGA golf in Toledo, which began in 1954 at the Inverness Four-Ball hosted at the Inverness Club. The Glass City has also played host to the Marathon Classic presented by Owens Corning and O-I since 1984 , making it the second-longest running non-major tournament on the LPGA Tour.

“I am extremely proud of northwest Ohio’s effort to bring the Solheim Cup to Inverness,” said long time Marathon Classic tournament director Judd Silverman. “The community has not only supported the LPGA for 32 years, but they put together a compelling bid encompassing many exciting elements that ultimately captured the LPGA’s decision. With all of the positive development that is happening in Toledo presently and over the next few years I can’t think of a better time for our community to host such a prestigious international event like the Solheim Cup.” Tournament offi cials today also announced Marathon Petroleum Corporation as the third global partner for the 2021 Solheim Cup alongside PING and Rolex. Marathon has been the title sponsor of the LPGA’s regular season stop in Toledo since 2013.

“We’re proud to support the 2021 Solheim Cup here in northwest Ohio where our corporate roots are firmly planted,” said Tom Kelley, Marathon Petroleum’s senior vice president of marketing. “Along with our sponsorship of Stacy Lewis and title sponsorship of the Marathon Classic, being a global partner for this world renowned competition is a tremendous opportunity to extend our positive experience with the LPGA.”

Making the announcement today in Toledo were U.S. Solheim Cup Team star Stacy Lewis, PING Board Member Allan Solheim, LPGA Chief Commercial Offi cer Jon Podany and Tournament Chairman Richard Hylant. “I think Inverness is going to be an unbelievable venue for us with all of the history with the guys playing there and just the history of the golf course itself,” Lewis said. “It’s such a cool course to play with a bunch of holes really close and I think it’s going to help make for a very loud Solheim Cup.”

The U.S. leads Europe 9-5 all-time in Solheim Cup competition following their historic comeback win in September at St. Leon-Rot Golf Club in Germany. The Americans trailed 10-6 heading into Sunday’s singles matches and overcame the largest defi cit in the event’s history, winning 8 ½ points in the fi nal session. Team USA won by a score of 14½ to 13½, the closest score in the history of the Cup. The 2017 edition of the Solheim Cup will take place at Des Moines Country Club in West Des Moines, Iowa, August 14-20, 2017. The PGA Centenary Course at The Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire, Scotland, will host the 2019 Solheim Cup.

ABOUT THE SOLHEIM CUP
The Solheim Cup combines the tradition and prestige of the game of golf with passion for one’s country. This biennial, trans-Atlantic team match-play competition features the best U.S.-born players from the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour and the best European members from the Ladies European Tour (LET).

The Solheim Cup is named in honor of Karsten Solheim, the founder of Karsten Manufacturing Corporation, which makes PING golf equipment. In 1990, the Solheim family, in conjunction with the LPGA and the LET, developed the concept and became the title sponsor for The Solheim Cup, professional golf’s international match-play competition for women. Held every two years, the event has grown into the most prestigious international women’s professional golf team event. The Solheim Cup is the one of the most highly coveted trophies in women’s professional golf; some of the most memorable moments in women’s golf have happened during Solheim Cups, and berths on the U.S. and European teams are highly sought after by players from both organizations.

For more information about The Solheim Cup and updated standings for each team, log on to www.solheimcup.com, www.lpga.com and www.solheimcupeurope.com.

ABOUT INVERNESS CLUB
Inverness Club, located in Toledo, Ohio has forged a place of distinction in professional golf history. Opening in 1903, the club has been the site of eleven championships, including four U.S. Opens and two PGA Championships. Byron Nelson who served as head golf professional from 1940 to 1944 recognized Inverness Club as his “home course.” S.P. Jermain, the club’s founder and fi rst Board President, was credited with conceiving the idea for the Ryder Cup. The championship course was designed by the renowned architect, Donald Ross. Inverness Club will be the host site for the 2019 U.S. Junior Amateur and the 2021 Solheim Cup.

ABOUT THE LGPA
The LPGA is the world’s leading professional golf organization for women. Founded in 1950 and headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida, the association celebrates a diverse and storied membership with more than 2,300 members representing 30 diff erent countries. With a Vision to inspire, empower, educate and entertain by showcasing the very best of women’s golf, LPGA Tour Professionals compete across the globe, while dedicated LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP) directly impact the game through teaching, coaching and management. The Symetra Tour consistently produces a pipeline of talent ready for the world stage. Follow the LPGA on its television home, Golf Channel, and on the web via: www.LPGA.com, www.facebook.com/lpga, www.twitter.com/lpga, and www.youtube.com/lpgavideo.

MEDIA CONTACT
Matt Haas
386-274-6282
Matt.Haas@lpga.com