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The 2011 Solheim Cup will take place at Killeen Castle, County Meath, Ireland.
Killeen Castle’s bid to host the women’s game’s equivalent to the Ryder Cup, successfully beat off rival bids from courses in England, Italy, Norway, Scotland and Spain.
Officials said the success of this year's Ryder Cup, held in Ireland for the first time at the K Club outside Dublin, had been one of the factors taken into account when making their decision on where to hold the tournament.
Killeen Castle, the ancestral home of the Earls of Fingal, sits in a wooded estate in 500 acres in Dunsany, Co. Meath. The Estate began development as an international hotel and golf resort some years ago and when completed will comprise of a Jack Nicklaus signature golf course, a Dave Pelz short game golf academy and an international five star Luxury Collection hotel to be operated on behalf of the owners by Starwoods Inc.
The golfing facilities will be augmented by a 30,000 sq.ft. modern purpose built clubhouse, with parking facilities in an old wall garden setting for 260 cars.
For the Solheim Cup, the venue provides ample room (500 acres) for public village and hospitality facilities, a television compound, grandstands and spectator traffic flow, all adjacent to the dramatic 18th hole.
This coming year, Ireland will also play host to the Walker Cup at the Royal County Down golf links course on September 8 and 9. Royal County Down is one of the classic links golf courses, and while it is anticipated that it will be a sell out, numbers are restricted in a way which provides a chance to see an outstanding standard of play in an exciting team format at relatively close quarters.
Over the years, many players who went on to have exceptional professional careers, have played the Walker Cup, including Nicklaus, Mickelson and Woods. Golf enthusiasts will be watching career amateurs plus a number of professional stars of tomorrow in action.
The match is played over the testing Newcastle links which lie round the curve of Dundrum Bay and within sight of Slieve Donard and the spectacular mountains of Mourne.
In 2006, the Ryder Cup was played on the Arnold palmer designed course at K Club in County Kildare. The Palmer Course and the Smurfit Course are considered two of Ireland's finest championship golf courses. Perfect for a golf weekend, golf vacation, or European golf trip - each course has its own characteristics and special set of challenges designed to test golfers of all standards.