'We're going to win': Lancaster CC bids for Solheim Cup

LANCASTER - The LPGA took just two days before it began trying to bring a tournament back to Lancaster Country Club.

After the 2015 U.S. Women's Open at Lancaster last July, LPGA commissioner Michael Whan asked officials at the course if they would be interested in submitting a bid for the 2021 Solheim Cup.

About 11 months later, the bid was officially announced at a news conference on Tuesday. Lancaster Country Club is one of six finalists to host the competition, which features the top women's golfers from the United States against those from Europe.

Bid committee chairman Jerry Hostetter, vice chairman Rory Connaughton, Pennsylvania Lieutenant Gov. Mike Stack and Discover Lancaster president Kathleen Frankford spoke at the announcement.

"There's no question this is the best place for the Solheim," Stack said, "and we're going to win because we are the best."

The Solheim Cup is held in alternating years as the Ryder Cup and in the United States just once every four years. Iowa's Des Moines Golf and Country Club will host the event in 2017. The other five finalists are Scioto (Columbus, Ohio), Inverness (Toledo, Ohio), Brooklawn (Fairfield, Conn.), Oak Tree (Edmond, Okla.) and a course in San Antonio that has not been announced.

Lancaster broke the U.S. Women's Open attendance record with more than 135,000 fans.

"That great success proves that Lancaster is ready for an international event of this magnitude," said Jerry Hostetter, the chairman of the bid committee. "It proves we're ready for a Solheim Cup."

According to a projection by the LPGA, the event's host brings in about $50 million to the local economy.

Members of Lancaster's bid committee will make a presentation to LPGA executives in Chicago in July. The decision is expected to be announced in the fall.

Until then, the bid committee is building support by having people sign up to volunteer, sponsor, and attend the event.

"Lancaster's ability to win the bid for the 2021 Solheim Cup depends on participation and support of the entire community," said Rory Connaughton, the vice chairman of the committee.