2024 Solheim Cup off to nightmarish start as thousands of fans wait hours in line to arrive
By Adam Woodard
The LPGA has a real chance to show off its players and product this week at the 2024 Solheim Cup, but the biennial bout between the best American and European players could not have gotten off to a worse start.
Logistical nightmares plagued Friday morning’s opening matches as thousands of fans were stuck in line at an offsite parking lot waiting for transportation to the course. When the first match went off at 7:05 a.m. ET, the grandstands on the first tee were largely empty. Fans, some of which arrived at 5 a.m. ET and three hours later had yet to move more than 10 feet in line, took to social media to share their stories and displeasure with the LPGA. They demanded answers, as well as refunds. There was even a report that porta potties in the parking lot were closed.
2 hours in the parking lot and only 200 yard from the front it’s a disgrace refunds need to be issued pic.twitter.com/Ky7eudA2Nc
— jon davidson (@davidson_jon) September 13, 2024
The situation was so bad that despite waiting for hours, fans turned around and went home.
I’m among those who got to the parking lot, stood in line for a while, then gave up and went home. Line was estimated at 3-4 hours from where I was.
— Chris Newbury (@cjnewbury) September 13, 2024
Waiting to hear how organizers plan to address the problems before I decide whether to try again. @TheSolheimCup
Normally played every other year, the Solheim Cup is being held for a second consecutive year in 2024 to get back on an even-year schedule. What makes matters worse is the same transportation and planning issues plagued last year’s event in Spain.
What’s sad is Solheim Cup logistical issues are nothing new. There were very similar situations just last year in Spain. Reports of food and water running out. This was the line of thousands of fans stuck waiting for shuttles in the heat to leave. https://t.co/myxTVZQYIs pic.twitter.com/rb9unzJLaf
— Adam Woodard (@AdamWoodard) September 13, 2024
More than four hours after the initial reports of issues the LPGA finally released a statement and claimed they had plans to "mitigate these issues moving forward" and were "working on ways to express our regret to those impacted."
We recognize and deeply apologize to all fans affected by the challenges with shuttling from parking to the golf course. We’ve made significant changes to our transportation system to mitigate these issues moving forward, and we’re working on ways to express our regret to those…
— LPGA (@LPGA) September 13, 2024
Simply put, the LPGA has to do better. Golf fans deserve better.
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