Golf: Solheim Cup highlight of 500,000 pounds deal

(First Edition)

THE 1996 Solheim Cup match between the women professionals of Europe and the United States is to be held at St Pierre, Chepstow. Europe are the holders of the trophy, but they defend it on 21 to 23 October at the Greenbrier Club in West Virginia.

The decision to go to Wales was coupled with the announcement yesterday that the Country Club Hotel Group, the owners of St Pierre, is joining forces with the European Women's Tour in a deal worth pounds 500,000.

They will host the Scottish Open at Dalmahoy, the Welsh Open at St Pierre, the German Open at Treudelburg, near Hamburg, and a Country Club Classic at a venue still to be named.

The deal is for 'around three years', but there are options to continue until the year 2000. 'All the players will benefit from this link with the hotel group,' said Terry Coates, the chief executive of the Tour.

When Coates was appointed last year the tour had only nine tournaments. He is confident that they will have a schedule of 20 events next year.