High hopes for Ryder Cup and Ireland

Ireland’s Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Bertie Ahern has described The 36th Ryder Cup as “a pinnacle” for his country when golf’s greatest team event is played at The K Club, Straffan, Co. Kildare, from 22-24 September 2006.
Speaking at The Ryder Cup “Year to Go” gala dinner attended by 700 guests, including Europe’s Ryder Cup Captain, Ian Woosnam, at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin, the Taioseach expressed his pleasure that “one of the greatest sporting events” is coming to Ireland and that the entire nation is determined that it will be “one of the best Ryder Cups ever”.
He also paid tribute to his colleague, John O‘Donoghue, Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism, saying, “For the last three and a half years he has been the spearhead behind the government drive and support for 2006. The Ryder Cup will be a pinnacle but not the end. It is the launch pad for continued, sustained success with many more of the world’s 56 million golfers wanting to come to Ireland.”
George O‘Grady, Executive Director of The European Tour, responded by saying, “I can‘t speak highly enough for the superb commitment to golf that Ireland as a nation has displayed over many decades. We are certain that The 2006 Ryder Cup will, indeed, be a wonderful sporting event.”