Ryder Cup Packages Offered


If you have ever attended a Ryder Cup involving Irish golfers in the past, or indeed any major sporting occasion in which the Irish have participation, you will know what the true meaning of "sporting enjoyment and celebration" is. Win or lose, the Irish sporting fans are renowned throughout the world for the "joie de vivre" they bring to any sporting event, be it the Olympic Games or the World Cup.

And the 2006 Ryder Cup will be no different. Who can ever forget the hundreds of Irish fans at Oakland Hills last year. Awash in the green, white and orange flags of their homeland, the Irish celebrated the heroic efforts of Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley on the victorious European Team.

Next year, the Ryder Cup will be played in Ireland for the first time. The whole of Ireland is waiting to welcome the thousands of European and U.S. golf fans to their shores for what will undoubtedly be one of the great Ryder Cup parties of all time. All over the country, but particularly around Dublin and Kildare where the event is being held, the Irish will open their arms and hearts to offer all Ryder Cup 2006 visitors the traditional "Cead Mile Failte," or a "Hundred Thousand Welcomes."

The Irish Golf Experience (IGE) has put together a special two-option package for next year’s Ryder Cup. The packages present an opportunity to play some of Ireland’s best links courses before taking up accommodations in Dublin to attend the Ryder Cup event itself. Both options include a golf element, including a 36-hole handicap tournament for the IGE Ryder Cup 2006 Commemorative Trophy, to be commissioned from Waterford Crystal. Option 1 also includes special tournaments covering all the golfing days, with daily and overall prizes and a special trophy for the "IGE Ryder Cup 2006 Tour Champion" who compiles the best score over the six days of play.

Option 1 – The 12-Day Ryder Cup "Trip of a Lifetime"

Enjoy five wonderful days in Lahinch, the "St. Andrews" of Ireland, before taking up the five-day Ryder Cup package in the designated Dublin hotel. The charming village of Lahinch is located on the west coast of Ireland and is renowned for its warm and friendly hospitality. It is walking distance from the famed Lahinch Old golf course, now climbing further up the World’s Top 100 rankings following the extensive renovations carried out over a five-year period up to 2003.

Lahinch also boasts a second 18-hole layout, The Castle Course, currently undergoing renovations that will improve its playability and challenge. The project will be completed by September 2006. In Lahinch, IGE’s guests will stay at the brand-new four-star Lahinch Golf & Leisure Hotel & Suites (opening April 2005) and will enjoy golf at Lahinch Old and Castle Courses, Doonbeg – just 20 minutes down the road, Ballybunion and Galway Bay G&CC. With several excellent restaurants in the area and traditional Irish music pubs aplenty, there will never be a night where you will want to go to bed early! You’ll also have the opportunity to visit the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher and the famous Burren region (as well as other scenic attractions, particularly for non-golfing partners) located nearby.

Option 1 Itinerary

Thursday, September 14th: Depart U.S. for Shannon.

Friday, September 15th: Arrive in Shannon, meet coach and driver and transfer to Lahinch. Optional golf at Lahinch Castle Course.

Saturday, September 16th: Golf at Galway Bay G&CC. Designed by Christy O'Connor Jr. and set in glorious parkland overlooking Galway Bay (made famous in song). Round 1 of "Tour Champion" event.

Sunday, September 17th: Golf at Doonbeg, the famed new links course designed by Greg Norman and opened to critical acclaim three years ago. Round 2 of "Tour Champion" event.

Monday, September 18th: Golf at Ballybunion Old, consistently in the top 20 of the world's top 100 courses. Immortally popularized by Tom Watson when he was winning his five British Open titles, this course is a must-play on any visit to the southwest. Round 3 of "Tour Champion" event.

Tuesday, September 19th: Golf at Lahinch Old Course. Designed in 1892 by Old Tom Morris and redesigned by Dr. Alister McKenzie in 1926, the course has recently undergone another redesign by Martin Hawtree ,and is now believed to be the best test of golf in southwest Ireland. Round 4 of "Tour Champion" event.

Wednesday, September 20th: Depart Lahinch and transfer to Bewleys Airport Hotel for the five-day Ryder Cup package, with golf at Glasson on the way. Glasson is a beautiful course in the heart of Ireland overlooking Lough Ree on the River Shannon. This will be the first round of the special 36-hole event for all Option 1 and Option 2 participants, as well as Round 5 of the "Tour Champion" event.

Thursday, September 21st: Golf early morning at St. Margarets, an excellent parkland course near the hotel designed by Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock. This will be the second round of the special 36-hole event and final round of the "Tour Champion" event. Afterward, go to The K Club for the second-day practice round and Opening Ceremony of the Ryder Cup, finishing up with the Ryder Cup Celebration Evening.

Friday, September 22nd: First day Foursomes and Fourball play of the Ryder Cup at The K Club.

Saturday, September 23rd: Second day Foursomes and Fourball play of the Ryder Cup at The K Club.

Sunday, September 24th: Final day Singles play of the Ryder Cup at The K Club. Afterward, the Final Night Awards Banquet will be held at the hotel where the special "IGE Ryder Cup 2006 Tour Champion" trophy and "IGE Ryder Cup 2006 Commemorative Trophy” will be awarded, along with other daily and overall prizes.

Monday, September 25th: Transfer to Dublin Airport for return flight to U.S.

Option 2: Special 5-Day Ryder Cup Trip & 36H Golf Tournament

Tuesday, September 19th: Depart U.S. for Dublin.

Wednesday, September 20th: Arrive in Dublin, meet coach/driver and transfer to Glasson, a beautiful course in the heart of Ireland overlooking Lough Ree on the River Shannon. This will be the first round of the special 36-hole event for all Option 1 and Option 2 participants, as well as Round 5 of the "Tour Champion" event. Transfer later to Bewley's Airport Hotel for the Ryder Cup five-day Package. Non-golfers will have option to go straight to the hotel, and/or visit Dublin city and/or go to The K Club.

Thursday, September 21st: Golf early a.m. at St. Margarets, an excellent parkland course near the hotel designed by Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock. This will be the second round of the special 36 hole event and final round of the "Tour Champion" event. Afterwards, go to The K Club for the second day practice round and Opening Ceremony of the Ryder Cup, and finishing off with the Ryder Cup Celebration Evening.

Friday, September 22nd: First day Foursomes and Fourball play of the Ryder Cup at The K Club.

Saturday, September 23rd: Second day Foursomes and Fourball play of the Ryder Cup at The K Club.

Sunday, September 24th: Final day Singles play of the Ryder Cup at The K Club. Afterward, the Final Night Awards Banquet will be held at the hotel where the special "IGE Ryder Cup 2006 Tour Champion" trophy and "IGE Ryder Cup 2006 Commemorative Trophy” will be awarded, along with other daily and overall prizes.

Monday, September 25th: Transfer to Dublin Airport for return flight to U.S.

Note About the Above Golf Courses

All the golf courses listed in the above itineraries have not yet opened their tee sheets for 2006, so, like all golf tour operators, IGE is not in a position to guarantee tee times at any of the courses listed. However, applications have been made to all the courses and it is hoped that they will be granted when their tee sheets open for 2006 later this year. Having secured bookings from clients will increase the chances of securing these tee times. IGE has secured the accommodations at Lahinch Golf Hotel & Resort and, specifically, the five-day Ryder Cup package at Bewleys Airport Hotel.

Option 1 Cost

$5.399.00 per person double occupancy
$5,999.00 per person single occupancy
$3,999.00 per person double occupancy (non-golf)
$4,599.00 per person single occupancy (non-golf)

Option 2 Cost

$3,299.00 per person double occupancy $3,799.00 per person single occupancy $2,999.00 per person double occupancy (non-golf) $3,499.00 per person single occupancy (non-golf)
For more information, call 425/922-8172 or visit www.irishgolfexperience.com.