Robert Tuchman Gives Sports Travel Information on the Ryder Cup to ESPN Sports Travel

For years, I have told friends and associates who enjoy sports travel that the Ryder Cup is second to none. An intercontinental competition that pits the top professional golfers from the United States against the best from Europe...

Played every two years, the Ryder Cup site alternates between the United States and Europe on some of the most beautiful golf courses in the world. What sets it apart from most of the other 'mega-events' played throughout the world is the patriotism and pride that runs deep, not just for players, but for spectators as well.

Tickets

If you don't already have your tickets, expect to pay a premium on the secondary market. If you want to get a head start on 2008, to be contested at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky., a random draw for Ryder Cup tickets will take place in the fall of 2007. To receive information on individual tickets, please fax your name, mailing address, email address and telephone number to (800) 742-4698 or visit http://ticketing.pgalinks.com to register online. Ticket information including pricing will be sent to you early in 2007.

Getting There

The Europeans prevailed in dominant fashion in 2004, at the Oakland Hill Country Club in Bloomfield Township, Michigan. In 2006, the 36th edition of the biennial match will unfold in a country that possesses some of the most fascinating links courses and colorful fans in the world.

The Europeans will look to defend their crown -- their fourth in five tries -- on September 22-24, at the Palmer Course at The K Club at Straffan, Co. Kildare, Ireland, only 18 miles from Dublin. The history, the rivalry and this charming setting are an inviting opportunity for golf fans and travel enthusiasts.

The course's proximity to Dublin is good news for golf fans and travel enthusiasts. The city has many top hotels worth recommending (including the Merrion Hotel, Westin Hotel, Four Seasons, Fitzwilliam Hotel and the Radisson SAS St. Helens). All are located in the city center. From Dublin, getting to the K Club for Ryder Cup action will be easy. The Irish Rail service provides several daily trains to Kildare Town and ensures coach transfer to the K Club during the event. Alternatively, Ryder Cup Travel Services will have shuttles from all major hotels running regularly during each day.

There are still a few exclusive mini coaches and full-sized luxury coaches available for private transfers to and from the K Club. The key, as always, is early communication with the services and, since this is the major event going in the country at the time, I recommend leaving for the course as early as possible.

Don't Just Watch

In my experience with travelers to Ireland, no matter how much golf they watch, most won't leave the country without experiencing some of the world's most intriguing courses themselves. Not playing golf while visiting Ireland would be like taking your first trip to Chicago and skipping Wrigley Field. Some of the top courses in the area that I'm told are worthy of a see-and-play include Royal County Down (Newcastle, Co. Down), Portmarnock (Co. Dublin), The European (Brittis Bay, Co. Wicklow) and The Island (Donabate, Co. Dublin).

Since you will be navigating a foreign country, I recommend getting some assistance from Golf & Travel Services, providing personal services and professional guidance including tee times and transportation. Contact Enquiries@GolfandTravel.ie

To See and Do in Dublin

When time permits between playing golf and watching golf, Dublin and the surrounding area has much to offer in the way of culinary opportunity.

Renew your energy over a plate of beef cooked with Guinness or Irish rarebit (either of which should be chased with something sweet and traditional like strawberry scones). Some fantastic restaurants are a short walk or an easy taxi ride away, including Patrick Guilbaud (Merrion Square), Thornton's (Fitzwilliam Hotel, Portobello), Roly's Restaurant (Ballsbridge) and Chapter One (Parnell Square). Reservations are recommended.

Needless to say, there are also great bars from which to watch highlights and drink a pint of your favorite beverage. When your palette is satisfied, take one of several guided walking tours, or check out the following must-see attractions on your own.

• Christ Church Cathedral -- first built on this site in 1038 and rebuilt in stone by Norman warrior Strongbow. The cathedral's crypt is the oldest intact building in Dublin, dating back to the original construction in 1172.

• Dublin Castle -- This 13th century structure represented the center of English power in Ireland until 1922, when the Irish Free State was established.

• Four Courts -- home to Ireland's law courts since 1796, this impressive building was badly damaged in the Civil War of 1922 and later restored.

• General Post Office (GPO) -- This symbol of Irish freedom, built between 1814 and 1818, was a main stronghold of the Irish Volunteers during the Easter Uprising. Bullet holes still provide lingering reminders of the Irish struggle.

• Guinness Storehouse -- learn more about the brewery established in 1759. The Hopstore, a converted 19th century warehouse, offers fantastic insight into the brewery's operations and history. The Gravity Bar offers 360-degree views and, of course, a glass of Stout.

• Kilmainham Gaol Museum -- It is still possible to experience some small sense of desperation that once dominated this building, now a museum, when it served as a prison from 1796-1924. Throughout the course of history, many of Ireland's political and military leaders have been incarcerated here, and leaders of the 1916 Easter Uprising were executed in the prison yard.

• National Gallery of Ireland -- situated on Merrion Square in the heart of Dublin, the gallery boasts Ireland's national art collection and an impressive collection of paintings from all the major European schools.

• National Museum -- established in 1877, the museum houses many breathtaking exhibits and artifacts that chronicle Ireland's heritage from 2000 B.C. to the present.

• Old Jameson Distillery -- Jameson Irish whiskey has been distilled here since 1780 and the visitor centre shows a detailed reconstruction of a working distillery. The guided tour begins with an audiovisual presentation and finishes in the Jameson Bar with a complimentary glass of Ireland's finest whiskey.

• Trinity College -- founded by Queen Elizabeth in 1592, this is Ireland's oldest university. It's also home to the Book of Kells, an 8th century manuscript containing the four Gospels written in Latin and decorated with many colorful and intricate designs.

• Grafton Street -- this pedestrian-friendly, cobbled thoroughfare has all the atmosphere of exclusive stores and the allure of talented street musicians, while a bronze statue of Molly Malone, heroine of the famous 19th century ballad, invites you to buy some cockles and mussels from her cart.

• St. Stephen's Green -- originally an enclosed park when the west side of Dublin City was used for hangings, this city centre park became popular with the aristocracy in the second half of the 18th century. The green offers a relaxing, pleasant open space in the heart of a busy, vibrant city centre. Keep In Mind& Finally, when traveling in a foreign country, it helps to know the local customs to keep from looking like too much of an outsider. For starters, as much as the Irish love their bars and bartenders, locals traditionally do not tip the barmen. Tipping of the floor staff in bars and restaurants is expected, but the typical and ample amounts are 10 percent to 12.5 percent of the total tab.

Also:

• Don't tip taxi drivers. You are being overcharged already.

• A longneck bottle of beer is more expensive than a pint and only half the size.

• If you want Ryder Cup merchandise, wait until Sunday and save 50 percent.

• The better restaurants in the city will offer excellent values for lunch, relative to their dinner prices.

• Always carry a light foldaway rain coat and wear comfortable shoes.

• City centre hotels will be affected by noise at night and there will be many late parties. Be prepared, and expect to need forgiveness.

• Be patient with the traffic and the weather; this is Ireland, not Palm Springs.

• Use your hotel safe and spread your cash in more than one wallet or pocket.

• Don't lose your Ryder Cup tickets. They are irreplaceable.

• Mobile phones are not permitted at The K Club.

Enjoy.

Robert Tuchman is the president of TSE Sports & Entertainment, which provides corporate hospitality at major sports and entertainment events