- Europe reclaimed the Solheim Cup with a 15-13 victory over the United States at Bernardus.
- Approximately 80,000 spectators from 40 countries attended the event in the Netherlands.
- Golfers can play the championship course through Bernardus’ day-membership concept, which includes unlimited golf for the day.
Bernardus has returned to regular golf after hosting the 2026 Solheim Cup from 11–13 September, when Europe completed a 15-13 victory over the United States.
The competition was the largest event staged at the Cromvoirt destination since it opened in 2018. Around 80,000 spectators from 40 countries attended during the week, with the Kyle Phillips-designed course providing the setting for three days of close match play.
Europe’s victory regained the trophy after the United States had won at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in 2024. The teams were tied 4-4 after Friday, before Europe moved ahead during Saturday’s foursomes and eventually secured the two-point win.
Bernardus handles rain and match-play pressure
Bernardus kept the strategic character it had developed since opening; during matches, decisions were affected by water hazards, contoured greens and changing wind. With no conventional semi-rough, balls landing on short grass could continue into deeper lies, making angles from the tee more important.
The course remained playable following heavy rain on Sunday morning. Its preparation had focused on soil structure, drainage and targeted irrigation, supporting the firm and strategic conditions planned by Golf Course Superintendent Niall Richardson and his team.
Bernardus’ demanding 18th, normally the second hole in its regular routing, repeatedly tested players with water on both sides of the closing approach and little room around its small green.
Robert van der Wallen, owner of Bernardus, said the event was intended to support women’s sport beyond the competition itself.
“By hosting the Solheim Cup at Bernardus, we brought women’s sport at the very highest level closer to a broad audience, both in the Netherlands and beyond. In doing so, we are helping to grow the appreciation of women’s sport, encouraging people to get active themselves, and inspiring young athletes to dream bigger. In this way, we are investing in both sport and society.”
Junior and senior teams share the course
The week marked the first time that the PING Junior Solheim Cup and Solheim Cup had been played on the same course.
The United States won the junior contest 13-11, surviving a European comeback in the singles after building a 9½-2½ advantage across the opening foursomes and four-balls.
Playing both matches at Bernardus placed emerging players on the same fairways used days later by the senior teams. Previous junior competitors who progressed to the Solheim Cup include Rose Zhang, Carlota Ciganda, Linn Grant, Lexi Thompson and the Korda sisters.
New experiences for spectators
Bernardus also introduced two services for spectators. The Home of Bernardus brought its wines, merchandise and interactive activities into the Fan Village, while Bernardus Solheim Cup Radio covered every match across the junior and senior competitions.
The radio service was the first dedicated live station in Solheim Cup history, serving spectators at the venue and listeners elsewhere.
“The Solheim Cup was the result of several years of preparation and an enormous collective effort,” Bernardus General Manager Sabine Riezebos said. “We are extremely proud of how Bernardus was presented throughout the week and of the experience created for visitors. The tournament may have finished, but its impact will remain, and we look forward to welcoming golfers and guests from around the world.”
Golfers can now experience the tournament course through Bernardus’ day-membership concept. It provides unlimited golf for the day alongside access to the destination’s wider facilities, which include its practice areas, Lodge and restaurant Nami.
To find out more about Bernardus Golf, click HERE.
Related: Costa Navarino Golf Announces Exclusive Dan Grieve Coaching Partnership
Simon Bale
Simon Bale is the publisher of Golf Today. A low single-figure handicap golfer, he was previously a major shareholder and course reviewer for Top100GolfCourses.com for over a decade, starting in 2010. Through this role, he developed extensive knowledge of golf course design and architecture while playing more than 300 courses worldwide.