Des Moines ready for its turn on world stage

After four years of preparation in Iowa and two years of player qualifications around the women’s tour, the Solheim Cup is now distilled into three days of tense drama at Des Moines Golf and Country Club.

The Solheim Cup, a biennial team competition matching the USA against Europe, is the showcase event in women’s golf. But it’s also a showcase for the host city. The locals see this as significant moment in the history of the state’s sports scene, and a small army of people — including 2,000 volunteers — have been toiling to make sure it’s memorable since Des Moines was awarded the event in 2013.

“It’s huge worldwide exposure for us,” said Greg Edwards, president and CEO of The Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We get a lot of exposure with the (presidential) election cycle with the Iowa caucuses, but this is great exposure to the sports world and the golf world. It shows people that Des Moines is a vibrant city, a cool, hip city.

“It really gives the entire community another boost of community pride.”

The move to secure the Solheim Cup began five years ago, Edwards said, ignited by the board and membership of Des Moines Golf and Country Club. In 1999, it hosted the U.S. Senior Open, and the club was ready for another event.

Local banker Suku Radia “led the charge” in getting the business community involved, Edwards said. A bid was made to the LPGA.

“There was a lot of local corporate support, and I think that really got their attention,” Edwards said. “It was a community effort.”

The golf itself is a part of a big week in Des Moines:

The course: The championship layout will combine nine holes from each of the two courses. It can be stretched to 6,894 yards, the second-longest test in the 15 editions of the Solheim Cup and the longest played at standard elevation.

The entertainment:

The first two days of competition will be capped by country music concerts, Jake Owen on Friday and Rascal Flatts on Saturday.

The Iowa State Fair:

The annual event will be enjoying its final three days for 2017 as the tournament happens. The fair draws more than a million people from around the world. One highlight is what is billed as the “world famous butter cow,” made of “about 600 lbs. of low moisture, pure cream Iowa butter.”