Doug Pensinger
Spain’s Azahara Munoz and Carlota Ciganda look on during play at the 2013 Solheim Cup.

By Ryan Herrington
For the third time in the event’s history, the Solheim Cup is heading to continental Europe. Officials with the Ladies European Tour announced on Tuesday that the 2023 matches will take place in Spain at Finca Cortesin in Andalucia.

“Spain is a passionate golfing nation with knowledgeable fans and a history of developing generations of talented golfers,” said LET CEO Alexandra Armas, “while Andalucia’s strong cultural heritage will make for a unique experience for players, guests and supporters alike.”

A specific date for the event is still being finalized. Solheim Cup organizers will be looking for a window of time that separates the competition from the Ryder Cup that will be held in Italy that fall. Previously, the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cups were played in separate years, but when the PGA of America pushed back the 2020 at Whistling Straits to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it caused the entire biennial schedule of the Ryder Cup to shift a year, creating the overlap.

Spain will be the sixth European nation to host the match. In addition to U.K. nations Scotland, Ireland and Wales, Sweden became the first country on the European continent to host in 2003 and Germany followed in 2015.

Seven Spanish golfers have competed in Solheim Cup during its 30-year history, the most of any countries except for England and Sweden. Most recently Azahara Munoz and Carlota Ciganda played for the victorious 2019 European team at Gleneagles.

The next edition of the Solheim Cup is scheduled to be Sept. 4-6, 2021 at Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio.