BY DEBBIE ELLIOT
The Masters Tournament has turned Augusta , Georgia , into a highly sought-after destination for golf aficionados over the past century . It is hoped that the Solheim Cup will do the same for Gainesville , Virginia , when the women ’ s golf event takes place from Sept . 10-15 . The Solheim Cup is a biennial tournament that pits the 12 best female golfers from Europe against the 12 best U . S . golfers from the LPGA Tour . It is held in alternate years to the Ryder Cup , which follows the same format for male players . Since the inaugural Solheim Cup in 1990 , the U . S . has won 10 times compared to Europe , which has been victorious on eight occasions .
Beyond the excitement of the actual tournament and the thrills on the greens , guests are also drawn to the beautiful location of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club . The private club , located southwest of Washington D . C ., was founded by famous course creator Robert Trent Jones , who designed a golf course architecture program at Cornell University and went on to build 450 courses throughout the world .
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Selection for the U . S . team is based on a points system from the top 20 finishes throughout the LPGA tour . Nelly Korda , 25 , is once again expected to be a star of the U . S . team after winning an Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Games . Lilia Vu and Allisen Corpuz round out the top 3 players for the U . S . French player Celine Boutier tops the rankings on the European side , with Maja Stark from Sweden and Leona Maguire from Ireland hot on her heels .
ATTENDING THE SOLHEIM CUP
Tickets to the tournament can be purchased daily or weekly from the Solheim Cup USA website . Options range from general admission to the elite Clubhouse , which includes an on-course viewing deck on hole 17 .
WHERE TO STAY
There are several well-known hotel chains adjacent to Gainesville , such as the Hilton Garden Inn Haymarket , Holiday Inn Express & Suites Manassas , and the TownePlace Suites Potomac Mills Woodbridge . For a more authentic experience , the Inn at Evergreen is an 11-bedroom bed and breakfast in a former Civil War-era mansion located in Haymarket at the Evergreen Country Club .
THINGS TO DO
Aside from watching the tournament , Gainesville and Prince William County have plenty to attract golfers and non-golfers alike . The region is rich in American history and was home to significant battles during the Civil War and the American Revolution . Guests can visit historical sites such as Belmont Bay , Dumfries Courthouse , and the Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park . Modern-day attractions include the Virginia Gateway , a shopping destination with 120 stores and restaurants , and The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm , where you can soak up beautiful Lake Manassas while tasting wine made with locally grown grapes .
GETTING THERE
Gainesville is 22 miles south of Dulles International Airport via VA-28 or 38 miles west of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on I-66 . It is also accessible by train on Amtrak or the Virginia Railway Express . You ’ ll need a ride-hailing service upon arrival to get to the venue .
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