THE BBC has agreed a deal with the Ladies European Tour to cover The Solheim Cup when European captain Catriona Matthew and her vice-captain Dame Laura Davies will try to rest the trophy back from the Americans at Gleneagles, in September.
A one-hour highlights programme from Gleneagles, in Scotland, will be shown on either BBC Two or BBC Four after the conclusion of each day’s play on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from September 13-15. The programme will also be broadcast on BBC iPlayer giving UK viewers the chance to see dedicated coverage of the biennial clash.
The Ladies European Tour’s chief executive Mark Lichtenhein told Golf North: “We’re delighted the BBC will bring Europe’s team game to the whole of the UK for the first time.
“Team golf is always an exciting way to engage fans and this year’s Solheim Cup promises to be another fantastic showcase for our sport and players. We are confident this highlights arrangement will introduce this excitement to a new audience which has yet to experience how unique the Solheim Cup is, not just in golf, but in women’s sport altogether.”
The news follows a marked increase in the BBC’s women’s sports coverage, with The Solheim Cup joining the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Netball World Cup and Wimbledon among the highlights this summer.
BBC director of sport Barbara Slater said: “We are thrilled to add the Solheim Cup to an already stellar summer of women’s sport. We’ll be there to bring all of the key moments to the widest possible audience as the tournament unfolds.”
Paul Bush, Director of Events at VisitScotland, added: “It is terrific news the 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles has been added to the exciting line-up of women’s sport being screened on BBC channels this summer.
“Not only will this enhance the exposure of world-class women’s golf to a greater audience, it will further showcase Scotland’s outstanding assets when it comes to hosting the biggest events in world golf.”
As well as the outstanding broadcast coverage on BBC, organisers are urging fans to be there to experience the action for themselves, with tickets available from just £10 and children being admitted free of charge. Sky TV are showing live coverage of the build up including the opening ceremony and all three days’ play.
Visit www.solheimcup2019.com for more information.
