FAMILY TICKET PACKAGES NOW ON SALE FOR THE 2019 SOLHEIM CUP AT GLENEAGLES

Catriona Matthew - 2019 Solheim Cup Captain

Special family ticket packages are now on sale for The 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles, 11th to 15th September.

With the ambition of creating the most family orientated Solheim Cup experience to date, the family ticket will provide exclusive access to a dedicated family area to include child friendly catering and furniture, fun interactive activities, high chairs and baby changing facilities. In addition, family ticket holders will have the opportunity to access special on-site parking at the venue.

The launch of the special family package, available at SolheimCup2019.com, coincides with Scotland’s inaugural Women and Girls in Sport Week running 1 to 8 October 2017 aiming to address the lower participation and activity rates among women.

Catriona Matthew, one of Scotland’s most decorated professional golfers and captain of the European team for The 2019 Solheim Cup, has given her backing to Scottish Women and Girls In Sport week and outlined the importance of major events to encouraging more women and girls into sport.
She said: “Scottish Women and Girls In Sport week is a great initiative and helps to shine a spotlight on some of the great work already being done to showcase sporting opportunities to women and girls. Having two daughters myself I am aware of the challenges of continuing to engage young girls in sport as they progress through school.

Major events such as The 2019 Solheim Cup can undoubtedly play a key role in promoting participation in sport and I’m delighted that special family packages are being launched to maximise the attendance of families at Gleneagles. I really hope that women and girls will see the top class action taking place at Gleneagles in 2019 and be encouraged to take up the game for themselves.” Minister for Public Health and Sport, Aileen Campbell, said: “I am thrilled that Catriona Matthew, one of Scotland’s most iconic sporting figures, is backing the Women and Girls In Sport week and I welcome the family-focussed packages being launched today for The 2019 Solheim Cup. Encouraging women and girls to attend top class sporting events is a terrific way to engage them in sport and ultimately encourage them to try it for themselves.”

The staging and delivery of The 2019 Solheim Cup is being led by the EventScotland team within VisitScotland’s Events Directorate. Paul Bush, Director of Events at VisitScotland, added: “One of our overriding objectives for The 2019 Solheim Cup is to encourage more women and juniors into golf so it is the perfect week to announce the launch of our family ticket options. We are very focused on creating a strong family spectator offering both on and off course at Gleneagles, with equality and experience key pillars of our delivery strategy.”

Special early bird discounts are also currently available at Solheimcup2019.com as the dust settles on the 15th edition of The Solheim Cup played in Des Moines Golf and Country Club in Iowa in August.

Matthew, who was recently appointed captain following her ninth playing appearance at The 2017 Solheim Cup in Des Moines, will be looking to return the trophy to Europe in 2019 after an inspired USA team retained their trophy by 16 ½ to 11 ½ points, in front of record crowds in Iowa. Organisers are now aiming to set a new record for a European edition in 2019.
The week will begin with the PING Junior Solheim Cup taking place at Gleneagles with the participants made to feel an important part of the main event. This unique U18 event will be showcased as never before as Scotland seeks to ensure that this is the most family orientated Solheim Cup ever staged. The Scottish Government, has stated the ambition to ensure the 2019 edition of the Solheim Cup in Perthshire will serve to both grow golf and leave a lasting legacy of increased participation in women’s sport.
Themes of equality, innovation and experience will be thread through all the events communications as The 2019 Solheim Cup aims to engage both the traditional golf audience and the wider sport fan, raising the profile of women’s golf both in Scotland and internationally. The Scottish Government and VisitScotland have been long-time supporters of the women’s game having partnered with the Ricoh Women’s British Open and the recently significantly enhanced Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open, which took place as a co-sanctioned LET and LPGA event for the first time this year.

The 2019 Solheim Cup will not only showcase the stunning assets of Scotland, the Home of Golf, but also build on the legacy of the successful 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. It will underline that Scotland is the perfect stage for major golf events as it seeks to help inspire a new generation of children to take up the game invented in their home country.