Qualification Criteria set for The PING Junior Solheim Cup 2019

30 November 2017

The PING Junior Solheim Cup qualification process for Gleneagles 2019 has been finalised as Europe’s young aspiring golf stars start to take aim on winning a place at one of the biggest events in women’s sport globally.

Taking place as part of the Solheim Cup at Gleneagles, 9 – 15th September, a dozen of Europe’s brightest young stars aged 12 to 18 years old will look to claim back the trophy won by the American team in 2017 at Des Moines Golf & Country Club in Iowa,.

Europe last won when the match took place at Båstad Golf Club, Sweden in 2007 and there is no end of motivation to win back the trophy as juniors across Europe have a firm eye on earning a coveted place at Gleneagles in 2019.

One such group of Scottish juniors, named #project19, was born from a WhatsApp group started by way of the girl’s motivating each other to climb the amateur golf rankings and qualify to represent Team Europe at Gleneagles. Their efforts have already been rewarded with a trip to the 2017 edition in Des Moines where the girls played a role in the handover ceremony and now they are fully focused on winning a place in the team at Gleneagles.

The Solheim Cup week will begin with the PING Junior Solheim Cup with the participants made to feel an important part of the main event. This under 18 event will be showcased as never before as Scotland seeks to ensure that this is the most family orientated and inclusive 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. 

The themes of equality, innovation and experience will be thread through all aspects of the event as The 2019 Solheim Cup aims to engage both the traditional golf audience and the wider sports 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 recently significantly enhanced the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open, which took place as a co-sanctioned LET and LPGA event for the first time earlier this year. 

The 2019 Solheim Cup will not only highlight 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.

The full criteria for the 2019 PING Junior Solheim Cup is outlined below with the leading six players from the PJSC ranking (based on results from the 2019 PJSC q-events) following the Girls British Open Championship 2019 automatically selected along with six Captain’s Picks based on performances at amateur events along with the EGA Ladies European Amateur Ranking.

European Qualification:

•  12 participants.

•  Participants must be 12-18 years old (born 2001 or later) and must not have reached their 18th birthday prior to January 2019.

•  Participants must be amateurs and not be members of a competitive collegiate golf program.

•  Participants must be a European citizen.

•  The leading six players from the PJSC ranking (based on results from the 2019 PJSC q-events) following the Girls British Open Championship 2019 will be automatically picked. In the event of a tie for the qualification positions, the selection would have been decided based on individual standings on the EGA Ladies European Amateur Ranking.

•  Six Captain’s Picks.

•  All amateur events and the EGA Ladies European Amateur Ranking will be taken into consideration when deciding the Captain’s Picks.

The PING Junior Solheim Cup qualifying events and point distribution will be announced by the end of the 2018 season.

Testaments from past participants:

Charley Hull, England (played PJSC 2011):

“When I was selected to represent Europe in the PING Junior Solheim Cup in 2011 in Ireland it was my greatest golfing honour at the time and it felt like my first step into big time golf. I remember feeling proud to represent Europe and wear its colours and even more proud to hit the first tee shot of the competition. 

Later on, when I played my first Solheim Cup, I remember asking the other team members about what to expect about being nervous in front of such large crowds.   Although they said nerves would play a big part, I was really surprised when I stood on the first tee and rather than feeling nervous I got a real buzz from the fantastic atmosphere created by thousands of chanting fans. I remember thinking to myself I hope I have many more Solheim Cups to come.”

Lexi Thompson, USA (played PJSC 2009):

“My PING Junior Solheim Cup experience was one of a kind and having one of my role models (Nancy Lopez) as my captain was a huge honor. But overall the experience of being part of a team, growing a friendship with the other players was a week I’ll never forget. The PING Junior Solheim Cup was an event that has helped me perform at a high level like the actual Solheim Cup today. And it is an event that is not only an honor to represent your country in but a week you’ll remember for the rest of your life “

Julia Engström, Sweden (played PJSC 2017):

“I played in the 2017 PING Junior Solheim Cup and I also have got the opportunity to play in Scotland because I will be 18 years in 2019. It will be one of my goals for sure. It is a great experience playing in the tournament and to play on the same venue. It gives us a chance to interact with the Solheim Cup players in a very unique setting. We can be close to them, watch them practice, talk with them and learn from them. The PING Junior Solheim Cup also gives us a chance to meet many new friends both from Europe and the United States.”