The LPGA has announced that the 21st edition of the biennial competition, the Solheim Cup, will take place at Valhalla Golf Club in 2028. This will be the first major women’s competition to be held at the course, which recently hosted the 2024 PGA Championship. Valhalla joins The Greenbrier, Muirfield Village, and Gleneagles as the fourth venue to host both a Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. The 2028 Solheim Cup will be held in late summer or early fall.
Valhalla Golf Club, which opened in 1986, features an 18-hole course designed by Jack Nicklaus. It has previously hosted several prestigious golf tournaments, including the PGA Championships in 1996, 2000, 2014, and 2024, as well as the Senior PGA Championships in 2004 and 2011, and the Ryder Cup in 2008.
Earlier this summer, Louisville, Kentucky faced criticism following the tragic death of a security officer who was hit by a shuttle bus while trying to enter the golf course. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler was also involved in an incident where he was arrested for allegedly disobeying a police officer’s orders. However, criminal charges against Scheffler were later dropped. These events have raised concerns about the suitability of Valhalla and the city of Louisville to host another major event, as well as the measures that will be implemented to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
Jimmy Kirchdorfer, the owner of Valhalla, expressed his excitement at being selected to host the 2028 Solheim Cup. He highlighted Valhalla’s history of providing thrilling finishes and looked forward to welcoming golf fans from around the world to their Kentucky home for an unforgettable week of competition and camaraderie.
The LPGA has not held an event in Kentucky for over 50 years. The Bluegrass Invitational, which took place from 1965 to 1974 in Prospect, just outside of Louisville, featured notable winners such as Mickey Wright, JoAnne Carner, and Kathy Whitworth.
LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan emphasized the importance of showcasing their exceptional athletes at renowned venues that have hosted prestigious golf tournaments. She praised Valhalla Golf Club for its tradition of competitive excellence and expressed gratitude for the passion and support from the Valhalla team, local fans, businesses, and state and city leadership in welcoming professional women’s sport.
Photo from Valhalla Golf Club Instagram
