The opening day of the 19th Solheim Cup was a disaster, to say the least. It was supposed to be the biggest event in women’s golf as the Europeans looked forward to a fourth consecutive win while the Americans prepared solid to defeat them. However, the fans were unable to catch the starting action as the shuttle bus scenario at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club turned into a nightmare. The patrons had to wait in line for more than three hours to find a bus to get to the course, which was delayed and literally, few in numbers that it could quickly take the fans to the venue.

As a result, many fans turned away from the game, despite buying the ticket, a general pass costs $110, with an additional $30 parking. That left the morning seats to be empty and looked like not many fans were excited about the event. In response to fans’ grievances, the LPGA Tour had to issue an apology that such a problem would not follow on the second day. The LPGA Tour posted on X, “We recognize and deeply apologize to all fans affected by the challenges with shuttling from parking to the golf course.” After acknowledging their poor management, the Tour reassured the Solheim Cup fans that they had made significant changes to the transportation system and regretted that the fans had to wait in line for hours and/or had to return home.

Not just that the LPGA Tour and the Solheim Cup made a variety of changes that would make sure that the fans would not have to be lined up for hours and that they cannot find parking. According to the recent Instagram post shared by the Tour, they have notified that the gates for the event will open up at 5:30 a.m. with the shuttle bus taking fans in from 4:30 a.m.

Furthermore, the LPGA Tour has also increased the number of buses that were taking the fans to and from the Robert Trent Jones Club. As for the parking issue, the league has relayed that their volunteers will park in a different place as the RTJ lot will be dedicated to the patrons-only and that the volunteers will have a separate shuttle bus. They reiterated the apology, regretted the issues faced by the fans and appreciated them for the pateiend.

Although the LPGA Tour emphasized not following a similar mistake on the second day of the Solheim Cup, the fans were truly enraged by the treatment as the first day was wasted and they could not get back the missed playtime from the day.

The golf world criticized the LPGA Tour for the Solheim Cup mishap

It was not just the on-course experience that was ruined for the fans, even for the patrons watching from home, the Solheim Cup was not that enjoyable. From the get-go, that is from the opening ceremony, the fans complained about the TV coverage being abysmal and the lack of proper camera work done. So with on and off-course disappointment that followed the Solheim Cup,oone fan angrily relived all the issues faced during the first day of the Solheim Club and said, “Pathetic, under-planned, kids left disappointed , looks bad on tv. You are supposed to grow the Ladies game. ‘Significant changes’ = ‘significant failures’  @LPGA.”

Another compared it to the breakaway circuit and how it never has such a problem. The LIV Golf has had 12 events so far in the 2024 season and even when there were more than 94,000 fans at the Adelaide, there were no grievances from the fans’ part about the transportation or the TV coverage being poor. Thus, this user said, “LIV needs to buy the LPGA and do a better job for these ladies. It’s a total shit show up and down.” 

That is not all, the PGA Tour was also dragged into the issue by this fan, as they called out the leadership of the LPGA Tour and the PGA Tour. A similar issue was encountered by the fans at the PGA Championship in Valhalla, where traffic was a big issue that even the pros were stuck going into the course and that also caused a huge misunderstanding, leading to Scottie Scheffler’s arrest. Alluding to the same, this fan said, “Leadership on both LPGA and PGA could certainly be better. Golf was in decline until Covid, which lead to a huge surge of interest, and both leagues have absolutely fumbled the damn bag. It’s beyond shameful on both sides.” 

The LPGA Tour further notified the fans that to compensate for everything that transpired on day one of the Solheim Cup, they had given two complimentary general passes to everyone for Sunday and Saturday. But the fans wanted something else and that was to be compensated for their lost tickets on Friday. One fan articulated, “There better be refunds. Pathetic planning for sure.”

Another agreed to the refund part but wanted more from the LPGA Tour, they suggested three things that the Tour should do for fans as compensation for their wasted time and tickets. They listed, “1. Full refund on the day’s ticket. 2. Solheim Cup merch for everyone in line. (Free) 3. Free LPGA Tour branded merch. (Hat pins, programs, etc.).”

Only two days remain for the Solheim Cup to conclude. Will the problem be curbed on the second day of the Solheim Cup and the LPGA Tour will back up on its promise of solving the issue? It remains to be seen.