The trophy for the 2023 Solheim Cup, the world's most important women's sporting event, which pits teams from Europe against the United States and will be held for the first time in Spain next September at Finca Cortesín, made a solemn stop at the Congress of Deputies on its tour of Spain.

Meritxell Batet, president of the Congress of Deputies, and Miquel Iceta, Minister of Culture and Sports, received the Solheim Cup trophy before the tournament was presented to the Culture and Sports Commission in the Ernest Lluch Room of the Palace of the Cortes in Madrid.

The Speaker of the Congress of Deputies, Meritxell Batet, and the Minister of Culture and Sports of the Government of Spain, Miquel Iceta, acted as hosts for the Solheim Cup trophy at the Palace of the Cortes in Madrid.

This formal ceremony took place before the Solheim Cup was presented to the Sports Commission in the Ernest Lluch Room at an event attended by political and sporting personalities, including Gonzaga Escauriaza, President of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation.

This action is one of the many that are part of the "Solheim Cup Trophy Journey" itinerary, an initiative that aims to take the cup of the most prestigious women's golf tournament throughout Spain and, most importantly, bring this championship closer to all areas of Spanish society.

On this occasion, the venue chosen for the event was the Ernest Lluch Room of the Palace of the Courts, where the Solheim Cup trophy, a wonderful Waterford crystal cup, presided over the presentation of the tournament before the Culture and Sports Commission of the Congress of Deputies.

Agustín Zamarrón, president of the Culture and Sports Commission of the Congress of Deputies, thanked the Solheim Cup for its presence in the Lower House of the Cortes Generales and defined the trophy's journey through Spain as a "pilgrimage of equality and welcome".

“The new sports law champions equality between men and women, and a tournament like the Solheim Cup is a prime example of this. Golf, in particular, and sport in general, are excellent learning and development opportunities for individuals,” he continued.

“In these difficult times we are currently experiencing, I want to remind everyone that the language of sport is peace, reason, agreement, and coexistence. Let us hope that the future brings us better times,” he concluded.

Alicia Garrido, president of Deporte & Business, the company organizing the Solheim Cup 2023, which will take place from September 22 to 24, 2023 at Finca Cortesín, Málaga, opened the event by explaining what the Solheim Cup is and, above all, what this tournament means in the world of golf and sport.

Alicia Garrido also emphasized that the Solheim Cup is coming to Spain “thanks to the work and effort of many people over many years, but above all, it is thanks to the sponsors and the unity of the Andalusian institutions, regardless of ideology. Everyone, across the political spectrum, has understood the social and economic potential of the Solheim Cup and is working to ensure that this event marks a milestone in history as it passes through our country.”.

Alicia Garrido also called for “active participation from the Spanish Government, since the 2023 Solheim Cup was named an Event of Special Public Interest at the beginning of last year” and emphasized that “this is a unique opportunity to support women's sport in its truest sense, to promote equality and to show the world that we are a great country.”.

“The Solheim Cup brings together all the elements of sustainability and equality and is the best way to support a sport that generates significant prosperity for our country and is a powerful driver of integration across the region,” Garrido continued. “We need everyone’s help to make this the best Solheim Cup ever and for Spain to show the world that we are also the best in women’s sports,” she concluded.

Following Alicia Garrido's speech came the words of Elena Jiménez, sports journalist for RTVE and one of the key figures in bringing the Solheim Cup to the facilities of the Lower House of the Spanish Parliament.

“The Solheim Cup ambassadors, a group I belong to, want this tournament to reach all of Spanish society, beyond just golf. We are proud that Spain is hosting a tournament like the Solheim Cup, and today we have felt the affection that their lordships have for golf and for sport,” she said.

Elena Jiménez concluded by paying tribute to the pioneers of women's sport in general and women's golf in particular, such as Martas Figueras-Dotti, who was also present at the event.

The 2023 Solheim Cup, an event of exceptional public interest whose official venue is Finca Cortesín, is sponsored by PING, Costa del Sol, and Rolex as global partners; by Andalucía, Acosol, the Marbella City Council, and the Benahavís City Council as official partners; and by Reale Seguros as official sponsor. Solán de Cabras, Eversheds Sutherland, and the Casares City Council are official suppliers. Marca and Radio Marca are official media outlets. The LET, LPGA, RFEG, CSD, RFGA, and Deporte & Business collaborate in its organization.

SOURCE: Solheim Cup 2023 Organization