Killeen Castle Golf Resort to host 2011 Solheim Cup

DUBLIN, Ireland -- First the Ryder Cup. Now the Solheim Cup.

Just three months after Ireland hosted its first-ever Ryder Cup competition, it was announced on Thursday that the country will be home to the 2011 Solheim Cup, a biennial event featuring 12-player teams of professional female golfers from the United States and Europe.

The tournament will take place at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Killeen Castle, located in Dunsany Co., Meath.

"We have chosen Ireland and Killeen Castle for a number of reasons," said Alexandra Armas, Executive Director of the Ladies European Tour. "The first of which is the superb way the whole nation supported the Ryder Cup in September. The second is that we believe the modern Ireland is a young vibrant society compatible with the image we wish to promote for ladies golf. It is true that Ireland does not have a great history in ladies professional golf, but we firmly believe that the decision we have taken to come to Ireland will help to change that."

"As the course designer, I am proud to be part of what is happening at Killeen Castle," Nicklaus said. "It is phenomenal, what with the castle as a focal point. You have wonderful facilities to stage the Solheim Cup or the Ryder Cup in the future. It is a very strong course and will be nicely matured for 2011. I congratulate the Ladies European Tour and the Solheim Cup organizers for picking Killeen Castle."