- Five-time LET winner to lead young stars on home soil in the Netherlands
- Bernardus Golf confirmed as host venue: will stage the event on the same course as the 2026 Solheim Cup
Dutch Olympian and five-time Ladies European Tour (LET) winner Anne van Dam has today been named captain of the European team for the 2026 PING Junior Solheim Cup. The 29-year-old will lead a squad of young stars on home soil as the event comes to the Netherlands for the very first time.
The appointment signals a full circle moment for van Dam who represented Europe at both the 2013 PING Junior Solheim Cup and 2019 Solheim Cup – the latter where she was part of the winning team in Scotland.
“It’s one of the proudest moments of my life,” van Dam said. “It’s such an incredible honour to be asked, one of the easiest yeses I have ever given. I played in the PING Junior Solheim Cup in 2013 so to now be captain is absolutely surreal. I have so many great memories. I feel like I am still quite close to these girls in age that will be playing. I hope I can make it a very fun week and unbelievable experience for them.”
Van Dam is her country’s most successful female golfer of all-time with seven professional wins, including five on the LET. The Dutchwoman, still competing on both the LET and LPGA Tour, also represented her nation at two Olympic Games in 2020 and 2024.
In 2019, van Dam became only the second Dutch player to compete at the Solheim Cup (following Christel Boeljon in 2011) when she qualified for the European team thanks to two victories that season. Van Dam has since become a figurehead for the Dutch Golf Federation and golf in the Netherlands.
She continued: “Having the Netherlands host the Solheim Cup and PING Junior Solheim Cup is a historical moment for my country. We haven’t had many big events apart from the Dutch Opens so I hope this will help to inspire many young girls and boys. It’s going to be a fantastic week.
“Once next year comes around I will need to pick my vice-captain which is very exciting. I then plan to make it out to a few of the big amateur events to see the girls play. It’s such a cool part of it and I’m really excited. I can’t wait to create a bond with these girls. It’s going to be an incredible experience.”
Acting as the perfect prelude to the 2026 Solheim Cup, Bernardus Golf has also been confirmed as the host venue for the PING Junior Solheim Cup which will take place during the same week.
The Championship course in Cromvoirt, Netherlands, will stage the two-day competition at the beginning of the Solheim Cup week.
The decision marks the first time in history that the same course has hosted both the PING Junior Solheim Cup and Solheim Cup.
John A. Solheim, PING Executive Chairman, said: “Anne van Dam is an excellent choice to captain Europe’s 2026 PING Junior Solheim Cup team in her home country.
“Playing the same course as the Solheim Cup will create an exciting atmosphere for Anne to bring out the best in her players. Her experience being on a winning Solheim Cup team, alongside multiple LET titles, will be her biggest asset as she leads a talented group of top junior golfers determined to bring the Junior Solheim Cup back to Europe. She’s a local favourite who will set a great example for her team. We’re excited to have Anne in this important role.”
Alexandra Armas, LET CEO said: “We are delighted that Anne has agreed to be Europe’s next PING Junior Solheim Cup captain. Anne is still at the peak of her game so this appointment adds a huge level of prestige to the competition. Anne brought tremendous passion and pride to the European team room in 2019 and we can’t wait for this energy to resonate with the next generation of European stars.
“We are also thrilled that Bernardus Golf will be hosting the PING Junior Solheim Cup during the same week as the 2026 Solheim Cup. This is a landmark decision, one which will help elevate an already fantastic competition to the next level. We can’t wait to watch in the Netherlands as Europe attempt to regain the trophy under Anne’s leadership. We wish everyone involved the best of luck.”
Twelve of Europe’s brightest young female golfers aged 18 and under will be vying to win the trophy back against the USA a few days before the main event in the Netherlands.
USA stormed to a record-breaking victory last time out defeating Europe by 18.5 points to 5.5 in Arlington, Virginia.
The European team will be made up of the leading six players from the PING Junior Solheim Cup Rankings – who will earn automatic selection – and six captain’s picks by van Dam.
More information about the PJSC can be found on the Solheim Cup website. You can also follow along on Instagram – @pingjrsolheimcupeurope.
