Lochcarron of Scotland has unveiled the official Solheim Cup tartan for this year’s contest at Gleneagles.
European Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew visited the firm’s base in Selkirk to see the fabric which was commissioned by VisitScotland.
Its blue, red, yellow and white design by Rebecca Ferguson represents the colours on the flags of Scotland, the EU and the USA.
Legendary Scottish player Matthew was joined at the launch by Scotland’s Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing Joe FitzPatrick.
The world’s biggest women’s golf event returns to Scotland for the first time in almost 20 years in September when it is played at the renowned PGA Centenary Course. Around 100,000 spectators are expected to cheer on the best players from Europe and the US.
FitzPatrick said: “I’m delighted to be able to unveil the official Solheim Cup tartan created by Lochcarron of Scotland , a globally renowned company based in the Scottish Borders.
“The 2019 Solheim Cup will deliver a multitude of benefits to Scotland including promoting equality across sport and society, showcasing Scotland to the world and inspiring the next generation of young male and female golfers. It is also exciting how this event is engaging Scottish businesses and manufacturers such as Lochcarron of Scotland.
“Tartan and golf are two of Scotland’s most famous exports so it makes sense to combine them to commemorate the 2019 Solheim Cup.”
Matthew, who will captain the European side after playing nine times in the Solheim, added: “It’s exciting to see the official Solheim Cup tartan and a reminder that the first tee shots will be hit at Gleneagles in a little more than five months’ time.
“I think the tartan looks fantastic and I love that it represents the colours of the European, US and Scottish flags. The Solheim Cup is always hugely competitive but played in great spirit between the two teams and I think the tartan represents that perfectly.”
The tartan may feature in some of the team uniform during the competition.
Dawn Robson-Bell, managing director of Lochcarron of Scotland, said: “We were thrilled to be asked by VisitScotland to create a tartan to commemorate The 2019 Solheim Cup.
“Tartan is historically a terrific way of promoting a unity and togetherness by incorporating colours from different families and clans therefore it is a perfect way to commemorate this match between two teams from Europe and the US. We look forward to seeing the tartan in the official stores during The 2019 Solheim Cup and we hope fans on both sides will like the design.”
www.solheimcup2019.com
NOTES TO EDITORS:
For further information, please contact David Connor, VisitScotland – david.connor@visitscotland.com or Michele Mair – IMG at michele.mair@img.com
BACKGROUND:
The Solheim Cup will be screened to more than 600 million homes worldwide and will see 100,000 people through the gates of Gleneagles during the course of the week. The match-play format aims to engage both the traditional golf audience as well as wider sports fans, raising the profile of women’s golf both in Scotland and internationally.
European Captain, VisitScotland and longtime Aberdeen Standard Investments Ambassador, Catriona Matthew, is looking to return the trophy to Europe in 2019 after an inspired USA team won 16 ½ to 11 ½ points in front of record crowds in Iowa in 2017. Organisers are aiming to set a new record for a European edition in 2019.
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 Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open, which took place as a co-sanctioned LET and LPGA event for the first time in 2017.
The Scottish Government is fully funding the 2019 Solheim Cup with a budget of up to £19m. EventScotland are leading on the delivery of the project on behalf of the Scottish Government, working in partnership with stakeholders including IMG, Transport Scotland, Police Scotland, Scottish Golf and Perth and Kinross Council.
The 2019 Solheim Cup will not only showcase 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.
IMG, a global leader in sports, events, media and fashion, is the official staging partner for The 2019 Solheim Cup – notably the first time VisitScotland has partnered with a commercial company on such a significant project, having worked with IMG over the past ten years on various golf events.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
About the Solheim Cup:
The Solheim Cup combines the tradition and prestige of the game of golf with passion for one’s country and continent. This biennial, trans-Atlantic team match-play competition features the best European players from the Ladies European Tour (LET) and the best U.S. players from the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour. The Solheim Cup is named in honour of Karsten Solheim, the founder of Karsten Manufacturing Corporation, which makes PING golf equipment. In 1990, the Solheim family, in conjunction with the LET and the LPGA, developed the concept and became the title sponsor for the Solheim Cup, professional golf’s international match-play competition for women. Today, the global partners of The Solheim Cup are PING, Scotland, The Home of Golf, and Rolex. Held every two years, the event has grown into the most prestigious international women’s professional golf team event. The Solheim Cup is the most highly coveted trophy in women’s professional golf team competition; some of the most memorable moments in the sport have happened during past Solheim Cups and berths on the European and U.S. teams are highly sought-after by players from both organisations. The 2017 Solheim Cup took place on August 14-20, at Des Moines Country Club in Iowa, United States. The U.S. Team retained the coveted Waterford Crystal trophy by 16 ½ to 11 ½ points. For more information log on to www.solheimcup.com.
About EventScotland:
EventScotland is working to make Scotland the perfect stage for events. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors. For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit www.EventScotland.org. Follow EventScotland on Twitter @EventScotNews. EventScotland is a team within VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, the national tourism organisation which markets Scotland as a tourism destination across the world, gives support to the tourism industry and brings sustainable tourism growth to Scotland. For more information about VisitScotland see www.visitscotland.org or for consumer information on Scotland as a visitor destination see www.visitscotland.com.
About IMG
IMG is a global leader in sports, fashion, events and media, operating in more than 30 countries. The company manages some of the world’s greatest sports figures and fashion icons; stages hundreds of live events and branded entertainment experiences annually; and is a leading independent producer and distributor of sports and entertainment media. IMG also specializes in sports training and league development, as well as marketing, media and licensing for brands, sports organizations and collegiate institutions. IMG is part of the Endeavor (formerly WME | IMG) network.
About the Ladies European Tour:
The Ladies European Tour (LET) is headquartered at the Buckinghamshire Golf Club near London and celebrates women’s golf on a global stage. Since its formation in 1978, the Ladies European Tour has crowned more than 250 different winners and 700 championship trophies have been lifted as players from nearly 30 different countries have won on the Tour. The LET operates tournaments across the continents and The Solheim Cup, which has been played 15 times biannually since 1990, has become one of the biggest female sporting events in the world. The LET Access Series is the official developmental tour and bridges the gap from amateur to professional golf, giving young players the opportunity to gain valuable competitive experience and progress onto the main professional tour. The Board of Directors are the guardians of the tour and along with the Players Council ensure the tour continues to grow and improve for players, fans and all associates. The tour is also proud to have bestowed Honorary Membership to Louise Crozier Solheim, Helena Alterby Nordström and Roland Specker.
About Gleneagles:
Located one hour from Glasgow and Edinburgh, The Gleneagles Hotel is set in an 850-acre estate, with its own railway station just minutes away. Gleneagles is synonymous with golf, and home to three championship golf courses – The PGA Centenary Course – venue for the Ryder Cup 2014 – and the stunning King’s and Queen’s Courses. But there’s even more to keep guests entertained off the course: a choice of more than twenty activities can be found in the grounds, from clay target shooting, archery and trout fishing on three lochs within the resort’s estate, to horse-riding, Segway tours and gun dog training. Throughout the hotel you will find the finest comfort – from its 232 luxury bedrooms and suites, to the calming environment of the spacious destination spa by ESPA, home to one of only two ESPA
