<Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> United States </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> 2017 Solheim Cup </Td> </Tr> <P> The Solheim Cup is a biennial golf tournament for professional women golfers contested by teams representing Europe and the United States . It is named after the Norwegian - American golf club manufacturer Karsten Solheim, who was a driving force behind its creation . </P> <P> The inaugural Cup was held in 1990, and the event was staged in even number years until 2002, alternating years with the Ryder Cup (the equivalent men's event). As part of the general reshuffling of team golf events after the one - year postponement of the 2001 Ryder Cup following the September 11 attacks, the Solheim Cup switched to odd numbered years beginning in 2003 . </P>

Where did the solheim cup get its name