While the annual majors in golf are widely anticipated, it is probably this month's biennial event that is most coveted in the sport. On Friday the 28th of September, the Ryder Cup will return to our television screens from Le Golf National, Albatros Course, Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Paris, France.
It is the first time that France has hosted the three-day event, and only the third time in the history of European staged-events that the tournament has left the United Kingdom. The two previous times being Spain (1997) and Ireland (2006). It is to Ireland that I now turn.
There is speculation that the 2026 Ryder Cup could return to Ireland, with Adare Manor a possible location. In terms of major sporting events, the Ryder Cup is on the boundary of what Ireland should be attempting to host. The 2006 event is widely regarded as a success .
While state support is probably necessary, this would be nowhere near the scale required for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, which the island unsuccessfully bid for. The three-day golf tournament would require some capital investment, as well as temporary overlay, but nothing like the government promised support for our most recent mega-event bid.
The Shannon region is reasonably well equipped at this point in time, and fulfils one of the major European Tour requirements for hosting - a major international airport. The airport is also importantly connected to the US. Owner of Adare Mannor JP McManus has said it is his "dream" to see Adare Manor host the Ryder Cup.
I for one hope his dream becomes a reality.