Council begins gearing up for Solheim spin-off

Meath County Council is hoping to launch a programme of events in January designed to build on the exposure the county is set to experience as a result of the staging of the Solheim Cup golf tournament at Killeen Castle in 2011. The council is currently examining all possibilities to ensure Meath is ranked as Ireland's premium golf county between now and August 2011. Meath Tourism and other local agencies are preparing to work on the 'Meath' side of the events. Welcome festivals will have to be organised, golf signage will be reviewed and activities for the Meath hubs, Trim and Dunboyne, will need to be co-ordinated. "It's all very positive news for Meath, particularly in this climate, and we need to generate as much positive PR for the county as possible in the lead up to and during the event," said Michele Whelan of Meath Tourism. Meath County Council is delighted that Meath has been the chosen county to feature the Ladies and Junior Solheim Cup events in 2011. The ladies' event, equivalent to the men's Ryder Cup, will take place at Killeen Castle, near Dunsany, from 23rd to 25th September, after being chosen as the venue by the Ladies European Tour (LET). Meath County Manager Tom Dowling said: "It will be a great honour for Meath to host one of the most prestigious golf tournaments in the world. The hosting of the Solheim Cup provides a great opportunity to promote our county on an international stage as a premium golf destination to a worldwide market, not least to women golfers." Kevin Stewart, head of economic development with Meath County Council, who has worked closely with the tour to ensure the event runs smoothly in Meath, is also very excited at the economic prospects for the county. "Meath will benefit from great exposure on television and other media outlets across the world, and this means we really have to ensure Meath is looking its best, so all hands will be required on deck. We intend to position ourselves as the world's premium golf destination for women before, during and after this event and, to do this, we will embark upon a number of branding, positioning and marketing exercises." The Solheim Cup is named in honour of Karsten Solheim, and his family, the makers of Ping golf equipment. The event is the most prestigious international team event in women's professional golf. It is a biennial, transatlantic team match-play competition featuring the best US-born players from the LPGA and the best European-born players from the LET.