The K Club

The eyes of the sporting world will focus on The K Club when it stages the Ryder Cup in 2006. The great Arnold Palmer was handed the task of designing the course, which sits on land close to the River Liffey, and, thanks to the backing of the mega-rich Dr Michael Smurfit, no expense was spared. The result is a marvellous golf course which has become the home of the Smurfit European Open. The course surrounds Straffan House, now a five-star hotel, and the holes which run alongside the River Liffey are the ones where the most drama is likely to happen during that Ryder Cup clash. It's not cheap to play here but, if you are looking to treat yourself, the outlay will be well worth it.