Countdown to Solheim

The largest international sporting event to be staged in Ireland this year, The Solheim Cup is now just 10 days away. The top women's golfers from the USA and Europe meet for the 12th staging of this bi-annual event, the first time it has played in Ireland. Over 80,000 spectators, including 7,000 foreign vistors, are expected to attend Killeen Castle over the course of the week - the practice days, Tuesday through Thursday and then for the competition proper on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 23rd, 24th and 25th September. In addition to the main event at Killeen Castle, the PING Junior Solheim Cup will take place at nearby Knightsbrook Golf Club where Irish twins Leona and Lisa Maguire will be in action for Europe. The Solheim Cup will be a magnificent showcase for Ireland throughout the world. In the US the event will be broadcast live on the Golf Channel into over 400m homes, in the UK and Europe SKY Sports will also be broadcasting. Over 300 media will be attending the event. Preparations for the event are almost complete; an event village has been built in the shadow of the magnificent 12th century Killeen Castle comprising a Food Village and an Exhibition Village. There is a real family focus at this Solheim Cup, u-18s accompanied by a parent or guardian will be admitted free of charge and they will have the opportunity to visit Junior Golf Ireland's play area and the Hamley's Kidz Zone which is located in the splendid Walled Garden at Killeen Castle. See this week's Meath Chronicle for more detailed information. Next week, Fergal Lynch will be providing daily updates from the venue from Wednesday.