K Club officials were well represented at The Belfry and are confident they are up to the task of organising one of the biggest events in world sport. Philip Reid reports.

When the Ryder Cup comes to Ireland to be staged for the first time in 2006, it will be bigger than ever. However, the logistics and sheer scale of the task of hosting the major international sporting event is not one which intimidates those involved in organising it. "We know it's a huge job, and it doesn't scare us," remarked David Adamson, the project director for the event at The K Club, where it will be held.

Indeed, Adamson was part of a high-powered delegation from Ireland who attended the 34th staging of the event at The Belfry, where they were effectively allowed access to all areas in helping their own logistical preparations for staging the Ryder Cup in four years' time. On that occasion, the daily crowd attendance will be increased by 5,000, from the 35,000 per day at The Belfry to 40,000.

Representatives from The K Club were present in force at The Belfry to appraise the organisational responsibilities which will be in their hands for 2006. Apart from Adamson, Michael Smurfit was part of the official European party while course superintendent Gerry Byrne worked with the green staff on the Brabazon course in the build-up to the match. Ray Carroll, the general manager of The K Club, and Paul Crowe, the director of golf, were also present.

"We were in Valderrama in 1997 and also Brookline in 1999 as part of the official party," says Adamson. "But it was absolutely vital to be at The Belfry. It was effectively a dress rehearsal for us, because it was the last time the Ryder Cup was staged in Europe before we play host to it."

Others who formed the delegation to The Belfry included officials from Kildare County Council and Arup Consulting Engineers - advisers on roads and freeflow systems - as well as Bus Eireann, CIE, the Garda and other security personnel who worked with Warwickshire constabulary on transport and security issues.

"Those people who had never been to a Ryder Cup were absolutely dumbfounded with the scale of it," said Adamson.

"But we're all not overwhelmed. We have made so many connections, and a lot of people want to help, and we have also staged a tournament - the European Open - at The K Club so we know what is involved, even if the Ryder Cup is 10 times bigger."

Although there were some hitches at The Belfry with the shuttle transport system - a system that will be replicated for The K Club - Adamson was extremely impressed with how the operation ran, although he admitted that he would have "loved to have seen a day's rain" which is something that must be prepared for.

In preparing for 2006, it is the responsibility of The K Club to provide for services such as water supply, electricity, sewerage and telecommunications, as well as providing hard-stand car and bus parks and areas for the media centre and tented village. Two-thirds of the hotel has also been handed over to the official party, while Ryder Cup Ltd - just as at The Belfry - are given access to the venue months in advance to allow them to put in tentage and grandstands.

"The focal point of everything is the course, and we are totally in charge of that and will work with the European Tour's agronomist. Ryder Cup Ltd have the right to be in charge of the set-up, as they were at The Belfry. How fast the greens are, the length of the rough, how narrow the fairways will be . . . which is something the European captain normally wants," added Adamson.

Meanwhile, Damian Ryan, the director of golf with Bord Fáilte, said he expected the event to produce a sell-out of hotel and guesthouse beds in the Dublin and Kildare areas.

"Most hotels have already block-booked rooms for 2006. This is a major tournament and, given that it is in Ireland, we expect even more than the usual number of Americans to make the trip, as well as those who will travel over from Britain. I know some people visiting the Ryder Cup at The Belfry for the first time were taken aback by the size of the event but it is one of the world's main sporting occasions, and I know we will be up to it."