Smurfit - Ryder Cup will put France on the golfing map
25/09/2018
Sharon Smurfit is Director of Golf at The K-Club in Ireland, the last venue to host the Ryder Cup
Smurfit talks to PGA Professional about the impact hosting the Ryder Cup had to The K-Club and the rest of Ireland.
“The Ryder Cup being held in Ireland was great for Irish Golf. It highlighted Ireland for being a wonderful place to visit and showcased the many great courses around the country that we have.
“It drew the attention of avid golfers who were seeking a one stop destination country to visit.
“My father always had a plan to bring The Ryder Cup to Ireland and he succeeded in doing so. I admired his vision knowing that not only would it put Ireland on the map but that The K Club Palmer Ryder Cup Course, designed by Arnold Palmer, would be an International venue in the future.
“Being a Ryder Cup venue is very special even 12 years later. Our Visitors admire our corridors of framed pictures and our dedicated Ryder Cup gallery showing the event day-by-day.
“We are still shown on International television channels on a regular basis and references are still made for some of the shots on the day. We also frequently feature on social media. This is particularly evident each year there is a Ryder Cup on.
“We have a lot of visitors wanting to play our Ryder Cup Course and take photos with our replica trophy. These guests also avail of playing our 2nd Championship golf course the ‘Smurfit Course’ and stay in our luxurious hotel which has wonderful history also.
“We feel very honoured to have hosted the Ryder Cup and Ireland has definitely benefitted from clubs like The K Club, hosting such prestigious events around the country.
“Ireland being a host venue for any championship events has a huge impact on tourism within the sector.
“Not only do the golf courses around the country see an increase in golfers but also our hotels, local restaurants and bars also see an increase in business from our International and domestic markets.
“I am very excited for France and Golf National to be hosting the Ryder Cup as they will also get the benefits that Ireland and The K Club have got over the years to come.
“It has already put France as a destination country for golf to an international audience that may not have previously considered France as a golfing destination.
“The whole of Europe benefits from the Ryder Cup as many people travel to the event and continue to other countries afterwards to play or just enjoy the wonderful hospitality that Europe can offer as a whole.”
