The biggest women’s professional golf event in the world will be coming to Prince William County from September 10 to 14, 2024. The Solheim Cup 2024 will be hosted at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville next year and is expected to bring significant economic impact to the county and the surrounding Northern Virginia region.
The Solheim Cup is a match-play tournament held every two years and features the 12 best U.S. players from the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) going up against the 12 best European players from the Ladies European Tour (LET).
Tune in to watch the Solheim Cup 2023 tournament next month in Finca Cortesín, Andalucía, Spain!
Expected to draw up to 150,000 visitors to the county and more than 5.5 million television viewers around the world, the tournament is a patriotic party characterized by loud galleries, fist pumps, and putt-sinking celebrations often reserved for touchdowns in American football red zones.
"This tournament further cements Prince William County as a destination in the Greater Washington, D.C. region, and we are working closely with our Office of Tourism to support businesses, including our hospitality industry such as hotels, restaurants, and retail, to get engaged and educated now," said Christina Winn, Executive Director, PWCDED.
"Prior to the four days of match play during the Solheim Cup next year, our region will host events and activations to welcome and celebrate visitors from around the globe—the economic impact will be tremendous."
Taking Your Business Beyond the Green
According to the National Golf Foundation, the number of women golfers has risen by 15% since 2020, reaching approximately 6.4 million, up from 5.6 million in 2019. This growth is mirrored in the support from brands, as sponsorship for the LPGA has doubled since 2019. In fact, in 2022, golf surpassed other women's sports in terms of brand deals, as reported by Sponsors United.
"The time for businesses to get involved is now," says Becky Newell, LPGA Senior Director of Sponsorship for the Solheim Cup. "In addition to reserving VIP tickets for clients and customers, companies can work with the LPGA to customize visibility and hospitality packages."
In addition to lunch and learn sessions with the business community this summer, Newell is working with PWCDED and the Prince William County Office of Tourism on engaging the strong Prince William County golf community, which includes nine public courses and seven private clubs, and an award-winning First Tee program.
The LPGA is recruiting several hundred volunteers, including adults and juniors, but lists are filling up fast. Adult volunteers are required to work a minimum of three shifts lasting between four and six hours, depending on committee assignments and roles.
Getting Off the Tee Early
"Spending four to six hours on a golf course with someone gives you a pretty good idea of who someone is – what their values are and whether you want to do business with them," says Stephen Valenta, President of OFFIX. The company is headquartered in Gainesville with three additional locations across Virginia, and Valenta is excited for an opportunity to support the Solheim Cup.
"I’ve watched the PGA’s Ryder Cups and the energy is off the charts,” says Valenta. "It will be great to root for these USA athletes in our own backyard here in Gainesville."
While the Solheim Cup will be the first major women’s competition held at RTJ, the prestigious club has hosted several PGA events, including the first four Presidents Cup tournaments held in the United States. Valenta’s company supported those events, and he is thrilled to see RTJ once again hosting an international event.
"At OFFIX, we see the value of high-level sports and entertainment events, and it feels fantastic to see an opportunity to put a spotlight on our entire Northern Virginia region of businesses. It’s an opportunity to support our country and support the growth of this sport."
