THE K Club were happy to accept the booking from the US. It was for a two-ball involving players by the name of Bill McMahon IV and Kevin Sullivan, who were anxious to savour the venue where the Ryder Cup will be played in 2005.

When the pair arrived recently, they thought it appropriate to leave a signed scorecard from McMahon with director of golf Paul Crowe, before departing the scene. It was for a score of 122 gross. "We're claiming this as a course record by Bill," said Sullivan. "He's blind and I'm his coach." McMahon is, in fact, a prominent member of the US Blind Golfers' Association.

"They're sending me a photograph from the States which I intend to frame with the card and display in our locker-room area," said Crowe. "I think it provides a wonderful example of the accessibility of golf, even to seriously disabled people." He added: "The really impressive thing is that there wasn't a double-figure on the card."