There is nothing in women’s golf quite like a Solheim Cup. The ‘us versus them’ atmosphere of match play, the raw emotion, and the patriotism make it my favourite event. Having now experienced Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands, the venue for next year’s match from 7-13 September, I’m even more convinced that this will be one to remember.
I have to admit, it’s a little surprising that my first trip to the Netherlands was to see a golf course, especially given the short flight from the UK. But now that I’ve been and seen what the country has to offer, I can’t recommend it enough. Here are five reasons why you have to make the trip to the 2026 Solheim Cup.
It’s More Than a Golf Tournament
Whether you’re in the blue or red corner, the head-to-head dynamic, crowd engagement, and camaraderie are what we love about these matches. Players show their true emotions and the fierce match play competition is something you just don’t find anywhere else in golf.
While the USA dominated the early matches, recent editions have been far more tightly contested. The USA leads the series 11-7-1, with Europe retaining the Cup in 2023 after the teams tied. Interest in the event has grown considerably, and it just keeps getting bigger. With the 20th edition of the match being played in the Netherlands for the first time, the excitement is sure to be at an all-time high.
Megan Khang joins a couple for a selfie at the 2024 Solheim Cup
(Image credit: Getty Images)
The Golf Course Will Deliver
The clubhouse is stunning, with a unique design modelled on the Sydney Opera House and the UFO-shaped Next Nature Museum in Eindhoven. While most fans won’t have access to it, I wanted to set the scene for the luxurious look and feel of Bernardus.
The heathland course is no stranger to hosting professional tournaments, having welcomed the Dutch Open and KLM Open. The hole sequence for the Solheim Cup will be changed, as is often the case at pro events, often to maximise the drama.
If matches reach the par-5 18th hole (normally the 2nd), and the most difficult hole on the course, it will be a real challenge. Stats from the KLM Open show a scoring average of 5.3, with water running the length of the hole, two large bunkers, and a tough green for players to get close to the pin. In contrast, the par-4 1st hole (normally the 3rd) is one of the friendliest, with a short wedge into the green that will offer plenty of birdie opportunities and get the crowd fired up…
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