On first viewing the Ballybunion links back in 1967, Herbert Warren Wind, the doyen of American golf writers, described it as "nothing less than the finest seaside course I have ever seen". Against that background, one can assume he would have considered it an appropriate challenge for a sitting US president.
Indeed, it would be difficult to imagine a more suitable venue for this afternoon's celebrated four-ball. Over the years, Ballybunion has become a familiar haunt for US visitors, from eager golfing tourists to leading tournament professionals.
As recently as July, it played host to members of the latter group, including Tiger Woods and his good friend Mark O'Meara, who went on to win the British Open at Royal Birkdale a week later. That visit was also notable for a hole-in-one at the short third by former US Open champion Payne Stewart.
The influential Herbert Warren Wind may have been first to sing its praises in an article for the New Yorker magazine, but Ballybunion's current popularity among Americans owes most to Tom Watson, who happens to have won eight major championships. He chose the Kerry links to fine-tune his game in preparation for the defence of the British Open title at Royal St George's, Sandwich, in 1981, and has been a regular visitor since.
Like Wind, he was entranced by what he saw. Describing it simply as the best course in the world, Watson enthused: "After playing Ballybunion for the first time, a man would think that the game of golf originated there.
"There is a wild look to the place; the long grass covering the dunes that pitch and roll throughout the course make it very intimidating. The contours on the fairways and on the greens are what makes it a great course. You must play accurate iron shots into the greens, usually to a small target with not a lot of room to miss right or left. "Ballybunion is a course on which many golf architects should live and play before they build golf courses. I consider it a true test of golf."
So, given that Bill Clinton would have been well briefed about the course prior to his cancelled visit in 1995, Dick Spring won't have to convince the distinguished guest of Ballybunion's merits. In fact Clinton, who plays off 13 handicap, has proved himself to be a keen student of the Royal and Ancient game.
Four years ago, he decided to restore the White House putting green which had been built during the Dwight Eisenhower administration but was removed in the early 1970s, when Richard Nixon was in power. Its restoration cost the US taxpayers nothing insofar as all machinery, materials and manpower were donated. Interestingly, the only change Clinton made was not to include a bunker which was part of the original layout.
It seems that nearly every resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue this century has shared a common interest in golf. More often than not, it has been the incumbent's primary form of recreation and relaxation.
Of the 16 presidents from William H. Taft in 1909 to Clinton, only three failed to enjoy the game in one form or another. The so-called non-golfing renegades were Herbert Hoover, Harry Truman and Jimmy Carter.
According to the book Presidential Lies, John F. Kennedy, whose handicap ranged from seven to 10, possessed a "graceful, rhythmic swing" which made him the most accomplished of all US golfing presidents. But Clinton, too, is highly rated for his "good balance and powerful swing".
He is also described as "an amiable companion on the links" and someone who freely offers compliments to opponents. But he has weaknesses - at golf, that is. The book describes these as a "flying right elbow and unorthodox posture at the top of the backswing". He is said to have offended purists through his slow play, often taking up to five hours for a round.
As a general comment, it described him as: "Among the more enthusiastic of White House golfers and, unlike some other Democrat presidents, didn't care who knew about it; ignored many of the game's conventions, with liberal use of mulligans (free shots) and scruffy golf attire when out of public view."
Spring, who is a 17-handicap member of Ballybunion, got in a few practice rounds on the links earlier this week, to sharpen up for the big game. But he was giving nothing away about the likely format of the four-ball. "That won't be decided until we go to the first tee," he said.
It may be that the two local members will partner the two visitors. In other words, Spring will partner Clinton against the host captain, Brian McCarthy, off 13, and Minister for Finance, Charlie McCreevy, who plays off 15.
As the most accomplished golfer of the four, McCarthy will probably need to curb his skills in deference to his guests. McCreevy, who enjoyed quite a deal of success in team events including the Murphy's Irish Open pro-am a few years ago, has not been nearly so effective under the strain of ministerial office.
In December 1995, more than 300 Ballybunion members were in possession of laminated identity cards as part of the club's security arrangements for a proposed US presidential visit which never materialised. This time around, the number of cards has risen to more than 700, ensuring the combatants an enthusiastic audience.
When Wind was bidding farewell after his 1967 visit, a local member told him in an emotional voice: "As you saw for yourself, Ballybunion is a fine, fine course. And that champagne air off the ocean . . ." Just the right note for a celebration, 31 years on.