Press release -

Solheim tartan unveiled

Scotland’s Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing Joe FitzPatrick and European Solheim Cup Captain Catriona Matthew have unveiled a specially commissioned tartan during a visit to Lochcarron of Scotland in Selkirk to celebrate The Solheim Cup returning to Scotland.

The world’s biggest women’s golf event returns to Scotland, the Home of Golf for the first time in almost 20 years in September when it is played at the renowned PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles, where 100,000 spectators are expected to cheer on the best players from Europe and the United States.

Backed by the Scottish Government, the event will promote the principles of equality, experience and innovation as Scotland leads the world in the development and promotion of women’s golf.

The Official Solheim Cup Tartan has been commissioned by VisitScotland and created by Lochcarron of Scotland, the world’s leading manufacturer of tartan, and comprises a blue, red, yellow and white design to mirror the colours on the flags of Scotland, Europe and the USA.

Solheim Cup stalwart Matthew and Mr FitzPatrick toured the factory of Selkirk-based Lochcarron of Scotland, where more than 700 authentic tartans have been made, before officially unveiling The Solheim Cup tartan.

Mr FitzPatrick commented: “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 at Gleneagles after nine playing appearances, 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. I’m looking forward to as much home support as possible lining the fairways at Gleneagles to cheer on the European players and I hope we can win the trophy back from what we know will be a very strong American team.”

Following the creation of the design, it is planned that the tartan will be included in the official merchandise programme for The 2019 Solheim Cup and it may even feature in some of the team uniform during the competition itself.

Dawn Robson-Bell, Managing Director of Lochcarron of Scotland, which has also created tartans for the likes of Vivienne Westwood and Ralph Lauren, added: “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.”

The Scottish Government’s aspiration is that The 2019 Solheim Cup is the biggest ever European edition of the event and the most family-focused golf event in history with around 100,000 spectators expected at Gleneagles. Tickets are priced from just £10 for adults with children under-16 admitted free of charge. For more information visit www.solheimcup2019.com

Topics

  • Tourism

Categories

  • tartan
  • solheimcup
  • scotland
  • tourism
  • golf

Regions

  • Scotland

Notes to Editors

  • Follow us on twitter: @visitscotnews
  • VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland.
  • The organisation’s core objective is to contribute to the Tourism 2020 Strategy ambition of growing tourism revenues by £1 billion by 2020.
  • This will be supported by five overarching strategies: Marketing, Events, Quality and Sustainability, Inclusive Tourism, International Engagement.
  • The organisation employs 700 people and has offices and VisitScotland Information Centres across Scotland.
  • Spending by tourists in Scotland generates around £12 billion of economic activity in the wider Scottish supply chain and contributes around £6 billion to Scottish GDP (in basic prices). This represents about 5% of total Scottish GDP
  • For VisitScotland’s press releases go to http://www.visitscotland.org/media_centre.aspx, tourism statistics and frequently asked questions go to http://www.visitscotland.org/
  • Where possible, a Gaelic speaker will be made available for broadcast interviews on request (Far an tèid iarraidh, agus far am bheil sin nar comas, bruidhinnidh neach le Gàidhlig aig agallamh)
  • For holiday information on Scotland go to www.visitscotland.com
  • For information about business tourism in Scotland go to www.conventionscotland.com

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.

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.

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 network.

The Ladies European Tour

  • The Ladies European Tour (LET) celebrates women’s professional golf on a global stage. In 2017, the schedule features tournaments across five continents, including The Solheim Cup, with a diverse membership of 324 professional golfers representing 38 countries worldwide.
  • Since its formation in 1978, the Ladies European Tour has witnessed 248 different winners celebrate a total of 719 championship titles between them, and has celebrated its diversity as players from 28 different countries have won on the Tour.
  • The Ladies European Tour broadcasts live coverage of its tournaments to more than 304 million homes in more than 116 countries every week, generating 425 global broadcast hours per tournament. It also enjoys the support of many of the world’s leading business brands.
  • The Ladies European Tour also manages the LET Access Series, which is its official developmental tour, formed to give players not part of any major Tour the opportunity to compete and progress onto the LET. The top five players on the 2017 LETAS Order of Merit will earn membership of the Ladies European Tour for 2018.

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 Life wellness centres in the world. Gourmands will have plenty to discover, with four on-site restaurants, including Scotland’s only two Michelin-starred restaurant Andrew Fairlie. 

Contacts

David Connor

Golf PR Manager Contact for media enquiries on Golf 0131 472 2063

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