Barbara Hendel: Parties abound during Solheim Cup week
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Aug. 22—Don your red, white and blue, and come support our USA team at the Solheim Cup, the most prestigious international women's professional golf team event, which will be right here in Toledo Aug. 31-Sept. 6 at Inverness Club.
This biennial international event features the best U.S. players from the Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour and the best European players from the Ladies European Tour.
Named for Karsten Solheim, the founder of Karsten Manufacturing Corporation, which makes PING golf equipment, it was started in 1990 with Karsten as the title sponsor. Today, the Global Partners are PING, Rolex and Marathon Petroleum. There will be some great golf to watch.
But there's more to the Solheim than golf; it's a big week-long social event. Even if you are not a golfer, it's still the place to be for networking and to see and be seen. Indoors, outdoors and all around the links at Inverness there will be numerous social settings, plus, when strolling the links, you never know who you may run into — friends volunteering on a hole, in a food stand, or merchandise tent, amid guests from all over the country and other countries, too.
The Meijer Pavilion, which offers fans a 300-degree view of golf via open air seating and a climate-controlled area with upgraded food and beverage options available for purchase, is a great way to socialize. Weekly passes are $385, which include access to the tournament grounds.
The Patriots Pavilion corporate area by invitation will be buzzing with hobnobbers. Several other private Solheim parties are planned throughout the week at Inverness and other locations, including the 2021 Solheim Cup Women Summit, Change the Game Fore Women presented by Owens Corning. For information call 419-531-3377.
The Ohio Club, a climate-controlled tent just off the 18th hole, includes full food and beverage service, televisions, executive restroom facilities, and an outdoor patio Friday — Monday. A two pack is $5,000 and a four pack is $10,000.
If you volunteered, there's a party for you, too.
The point is, the week will be booming with fun. So even if you are not attending a private affair, you can come to the tournament and the downtown events. And if you dine at one of our great Toledo eateries, you may also run into Solheim guests from all over the country and Europe. If you do, be sure to make them feel welcome.
Here are a few public events to tickle your tees:
—SOLHEIM After Sundown Downtown presented by Danberry Co., Realtors, is the kick-off event for Solheim Cup week. It is at Hensville Park next to Fleetwoods on Aug. 31, 6-9 p.m. with the local Zach Attack! The Ultimate Throwback Party band. Guests can stroll about, sipping and supping, and sitting at tables here and there and shopping the live and silent auctions.
And no need to bring cash: It's a cashless event, so just bring your credit card.
All proceeds go to the Danberry Treasure Chest for charity.
The $75 ticket includes access to the event, one drink ticket, and a practice round ticket for Wednesday, Sept. 1.
—The Fan Fest presented by ProMedica, a two-day event, is expected to draw more than 40,000 visitors. The events will be live streamed on video walls. These are cashless events, so bring your credit card.
On Sept. 3, 2 p.m.-11:30 p.m. at Promenade Park, Gwen Stefani is the featured entertainment plus local talents on various stages, including Toledo School for the Arts, an Arts Alley, Imagination Station animations, and the LPGA Girls Golf Foundation Expo.
A variety of bars, including the Fountain Bar, built directly over the Levis Square Park fountain, will be everywhere as will tasty cuisine by 20 local Toledo restaurants.
—The Solheim Opening Ceremony is also that same day, Sept. 3., at Promenade Park from 5-6 p.m.
The grand finale of the evening is the fireworks display.
General admission tickets are $30 and preferred view tickets are $85.
—Saturday, Sept. 4, come on back downtown to Promenade Park for the Fan Fest with Chris Young, 5:30-11:30 p.m. There will be more fun with food trucks and a variety of bars including a champagne and wine lounge.
—Sunday offers schmoozing at the tournament. Save yourself the hassle of parking Sunday or any of the days. The Stranahan Theater has a park and ride. Weekly parking passes are available online for $50. Onsite parking is $10 per day — cash only. No daily parking passes will be sold online.
—Monday is the final day, and the closing ceremony is at Inverness. It's the last chance to mingle at the 2021 Solheim!
Before you head to the Solheim and related events, be sure to lighten your load. It will be easier when you go through security. Fan Fest has a clear bag policy, but clear plastic bags are encouraged for the entire week. So leave those big purses at home. The only exceptions for extras are if you have medical items.
For information and tickets go to https://www.solheimcupusa.com/event-tickets, www.SolheimCupUSA.com, or solheimcup@lpga.com.
Contact Barbara Hendel
