Beginning with Fred Daly, Ireland's first competitor who played in 1947, and progressing to various participants, Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley, this work covers two generations of proud sporting achievement by Irish professional golfers.

Brian Cox provides an overview of the history of the Ryder Cup, from its original inception in 1927 when the USA played the original British team, all the way through to its current carnation of Europe vs America. He also provides detailed profiles of Ireland's Ryder Cup heroes throughout history.

Maybe the game of golf wasnt invented in Ireland but to most visitors it seems that way. After all, there are more golf courses per square mile in Ireland than in any part of the world. A golfing visit to Ireland will be the trip of a lifetime for many reasons. First, links courses sparkle like an emerald necklace around the coastline of Ireland. It is subjective to pick the best from so many great courses but here are a few: Royal Portrush, Portstewart. Royal County Down, Baltray, Portmarnock, The European Club, Old Head, Waterville, Ballybunion, Tralee, Lahinch, Doonbeg, Connemara, Carne, Enniscrone, Murvagh, Ballyliffin and Rosapenna. Second, the past two decades have brought world class resorts with the finest facilities and championship level courses, including The K Club, Lough Erne, Druids Glen, Mount Wolsely, Killeen Castle, Glasson, Galgorm Castle, Slieve Russell, The Heritage, Powerscourt, Adare, Fota Island, Dromoland Castle and many more. Third, visitors can enjoy over 400 private golf clubs scattered throughout Ireland where greens fees offer excellent value and local members make you feel at home. Not least, the 19th hole is a great opportunity to meet local golfers. An old saying puts it like this: There are no strangers in Ireland, only friends you havent met before. The successes of Irish golfers on the international circuit has also put the spotlight on the great golf found throughout the Island. Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley, Shane Lowrey and others have been not just successful competitors but wonderful ambassadors for Irish fun and hospitality. I hope you and your friends will come to experience golf in Ireland for yourselves. I can assure you a warm welcome and some wonderful memories. Joe Byrne Executive Vice-President Tourism Ireland

An entertaining recreation of the inside story of successive Ryder Cups and the Irish players who contributed so much to them.

The past decade has seen the development of many world-class golf courses in Ireland. John Redmond's superbly designed and illustrated new book celebrates these as well as the top, truly great established courses.

Explores the origins of golf in Ireland, including the legendary courses and players of this hugely popular sport.