History
In 1990 the Solheim family created the first International professional team event for ladies, modelled on the Ryder cup. It is held biennially between the top lady professionals from the United States and Europe.
The American team won the inaugural event at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orland, Florida. Since then the Americans have dominated the competition leading the Europeans by seven victories to three. Once again the Americans retain the trophy at the Rich Harvest Farms Course in Illinois this week.
Format
The Solheim Cup is a match play event with a total of 28 points available. Each team fields 12 players. The format has changed this year and on Friday morning there are four rounds of fourballs followed in the afternoon by four rounds of foursomes. The same format is played on the Saturday before the final 12 points are decided in a round of singles in which all 24 players take part.
A Unique Story Behind The Name
The competition is named after Karsten Solheim the founder and driving force behind Ping. It all began as a quest to create a better golf putter to improve his golf game and it is 50 years since he filed for a patent for his first creation. He worked by day as an engineer for General Electric and by night designed golf putters in his garage with his sons Allan and John.
He spent endless hours around putting greens attempting to get top players to try his new putter. His success making putters led him to design golf irons, fairway woods, grips shafts and a variety of golf accessories. Fifty years on it is still a family run business which employs over 1000 people and has created one of the best known and respected golf brands in the world.
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