The 2004 Solheim Cup has been brought forward by a year to avoid a clash with the Ryder Cup, the Ladies European Tour (LET) announced today.
The 2004 Solheim Cup, the women's equivalent of the Ryder Cup, will now be held at Barseback GCC in Malmo, Sweden from September 12th-14th, 2003.
The September 11th attacks in America last year forced the postponement of the 2001 Ryder Cup until September 2002, which this year resulted in both match play championships being staged in the same month.
Given the "interest it (Solheim Cup) now generates, it's appropriate the match is not played in the same month as the Ryder Cup," said Richard Relton, European director Solheim Cup.
"Scheduling events of this stature is always a challenging undertaking, not simply from the players' perspective but also to ensure maximum involvement from the media, TV and sponsors."
Qualification for the 2003 event will begin this season, and run in conjunction with the second year of qualifying for the 2002 Solheim Cup, which takes place at Interlachen GCC in Minnesota from September 20th-22nd.
"Our qualification procedure will remain the same for the Solheim Cup 2003," said Ian Randell, LET chief operating officer.
America currently lead Europe in Solheim victories by four wins to two, and Europe will be attempting to win the trophy this year for the first time on American soil.