Junior Solheim Cup for Knightsbrook in 2011
The sixth edition of the PING Junior Solheim Cup will be played at Knightsbrook Hotel Spa & Golf Resort in Meath from 20-21 September 2011.
The 15-year-old Maguire twins, Lisa and Leona, who represented Europe in the 2009 matches in Illinois, are likely to make the team in just over a year’s time.
Leona was one of six players to qualify automatically for the world’s premier team match play event for girls in 2009, while her sister Lisa received a wildcard.
The Junior Solheim Cup is a matchplay competition between the best 12 female golfers, aged between 12 and 18, from Europe and the United States.
Leona said: “I had a great time playing at the 2009 event and to make the 2011 team and win the trophy for Europe in my home country would be unbelievable. Having played Knightsbrook before, I know it will be a fantastic championship course.”
Lisa added: “Playing at the 2009 PING Junior Solheim Cup in America and watching the Solheim Cup made me realise what I need to aim for in the future. It was a wonderful experience.”
The PING Junior Solheim Cup always takes place immediately ahead of the Solheim Cup, which will be played at Killeen Castle from 23-25 September, next year.
The first PING Junior Solheim Cup took place in 2002. The United States leads the competition by three matches to two, so the Europeans will be looking to level the series in Ireland.
World stars such as Paula Creamer, Anna Nordqvist, Morgan Pressel, Brittany Lincicome, Brittany Lang, Melissa Reid and Marianne Skarpnord have all taken part in the competition.
Swedish talent Nordqvist went on to represent Europe at the 2009 Solheim Cup in her first year as a professional and is currently ranked ninth in the world.
She won the LPGA Championship, which is a major, in her rookie year on Tour.
Nordqvist said: “I played in the PING Junior Solheim Cup in 2005 in Indiana and just going to the US was definitely one of the highlights on my amateur career. I had a lot of fun and was treated so well and the entire event was so professional.
“I got to watch the Solheim Cup and everything around it, so it was definitely one of the best experiences I’ve had. To make the team and to be there is such an amazing experience.”
Roddy Carr of Twenty Eleven, the event promoter, said: “Having the Maguire twins in a winning PING Junior Solheim Cup at Knightsbrook would be a great start to the week for Europe and of significant strategic importance.”
John A. Solheim, Chairman and CEO of PING, said: “PING is very excited to have Knightsbrook Hotel Spa & Golf Resort as the venue for the PING Junior Solheim Cup Matches in Ireland next year. The venue will provide a wonderful challenge for the young women representing the teams from the United States and Europe.
“I am also very confident that Ireland will prove to be a very special place filled with many wonderful memories for all the competitors.”
ILGU Chief Executive Sinead Heraty added: “The ILGU is delighted to host the PING Junior Solheim Cup in Ireland which will help the development of the junior game. Our key priority over the next two years is to grow the number of girls playing golf and this event will be a great showcase for the top junior golfers in Europe and in the US.”
The Cusack Family of Knightsbrook Hotel Spa & Golf Resort commented: “Knightsbrook Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort are proud to be the Host Venue for the upcoming PING Junior Solheim Cup in September 2011.
Located on the outskirts of the picturesque Heritage Town of Trim, Knightsbrook Hotel is fast becoming a popular venue for discerning golfers and leisure breaks with our championship golf course and unrivaled facilities.
Knightsbrook Hotel which is owned by the Cusack family is delighted to be supporting junior golf and especially this prestigious ladies event which will showcase the very best young talent from both sides of the Atlantic.
Both our members and local community are fully supportive of this major event and are eagerly
anticipating the PING Junior Solheim Cup.”