Dutch Olympian and five-time Girls European Tour winner Anne van Dam has at this time been named captain of the European workforce for the 2026 PING Junior Solheim Cup.
The 29-year-old will lead a squad of younger stars on residence soil because the occasion involves the Netherlands for the very first time.
The appointment indicators a full circle second for van Dam who represented Europe at each the 2013 PING Junior Solheim Cup and 2019 Solheim Cup – the latter the place she was a part of the profitable workforce in Scotland.
“It’s one of many proudest moments of my life,” van Dam stated. “It’s such an unimaginable honour to be requested, one of many best ‘yeses’ I’ve ever given. I performed within the PING Junior Solheim Cup in 2013 so to now be captain is completely surreal. I’ve so many nice reminiscences. I really feel like I’m nonetheless fairly shut to those ladies in age that will probably be taking part in. I hope I could make it a really enjoyable week and unbelievable expertise for them.”
Van Dam is her nation’s most profitable feminine golfer of all-time with seven skilled wins, together with 5 on the LET. The Dutchwoman, nonetheless competing on each the LET and LPGA Tour, additionally represented her nation at two Olympic Video games in 2020 and 2024.
In 2019, van Dam grew to become solely the second Dutch participant to compete on the Solheim Cup when she certified for the European workforce thanks to 2 victories that season. Van Dam has since change into a figurehead for the Dutch Golf Federation and golf within the Netherlands.
She continued: “Having the Netherlands host the Solheim Cup and PING Junior Solheim Cup is a historic second for my nation. We haven’t had many huge occasions aside from the Dutch Opens so I hope it will assist to encourage many younger ladies and boys. It’s going to be a incredible week.
“As soon as subsequent yr comes round I might want to decide my vice-captain which could be very thrilling. I then plan to make it out to some of the large newbie occasions to see the women play. It’s such a cool a part of it and I’m actually excited. I can’t wait to create a bond with these ladies. It’s going to be an unimaginable expertise.”
Appearing as the proper prelude to the 2026 Solheim Cup, Bernardus Golf has additionally been confirmed because the host venue for the PING Junior Solheim Cup which is able to happen throughout the identical week. The Championship course in Cromvoirt, Netherlands, will stage the two-day competitors at first of the Solheim Cup week. The choice marks the primary time in historical past that the identical course has hosted each the PING Junior Solheim Cup and Solheim Cup.
John A. Solheim, PING Government Chairman, stated: “Anne van Dam is a wonderful option to captain Europe’s 2026 PING Junior Solheim Cup workforce in her residence nation. Enjoying the identical course because the Solheim Cup will create an thrilling environment for Anne to deliver out the most effective in her gamers. Her expertise being on a profitable Solheim Cup workforce, alongside a number of LET titles, will probably be her greatest asset as she leads a proficient group of high junior golfers decided to deliver the Junior Solheim Cup again to Europe. She’s a neighborhood favorite who will set an amazing instance for her workforce. We’re excited to have Anne on this vital position.”
Alexandra Armas, LET CEO stated: “We’re delighted that Anne has agreed to be Europe’s subsequent PING Junior Solheim Cup captain. Anne remains to be on the peak of her recreation so this appointment provides an enormous degree of status to the competitors. Anne introduced large ardour and satisfaction to the European workforce room in 2019 and we are able to’t await this power to resonate with the following era of European stars.
“We’re additionally thrilled that Bernardus Golf will probably be internet hosting the PING Junior Solheim Cup throughout the identical week because the 2026 Solheim Cup. It is a landmark choice, one which is able to assist elevate an already incredible competitors to the following degree. We are able to’t wait to look at within the Netherlands as Europe try and regain the trophy underneath Anne’s management. We want everybody concerned the most effective of luck.”
Twelve of Europe’s brightest younger feminine golfers aged 18 and underneath will probably be vying to win the trophy again in opposition to the USA a couple of days earlier than the principle occasion within the Netherlands. USA stormed to a record-breaking victory final day out defeating Europe by 18.5 factors to five.5 in Arlington, Virginia.
The European workforce will probably be made up of the main six gamers from the PING Junior Solheim Cup Rankings – who will earn computerized choice – and 6 captain’s picks by van Dam.
