Set amidst the lakes and drumlins of Co Cavan, and with a prize-fund one-tenth of that at the US PGA where the game's fat cats will divvy up £3 million, the comparisons between the Slieve Russell - which plays host to the buzzgolf.com North West of Ireland Open, starting today - and Valhalla couldn't be greater.
And yet, in its own way, this third European Tour event of the year to be staged in Ireland is hugely important for many of the participants. As a so-called "dual badge" tournament, with equal representation from both the European Tour and the Challenge Tour, it will make or break many players' ambitions to secure their full playing rights for next season.
For David Higgins, who has already succeeded in that regard, the week is hugely important for a different reason: He wants to copper-fasten his position at the top of the Challenge Tour's moneylist. At present, he is €11,345 ahead of second-placed Henrik Stenson, of Sweden.
Higgins, though, is hoping that the week can only get better. In yesterday's pro-am, he was forced to use the clubs of his brother Brian, the club professional at Waterville, after his own went missing en route from Finland where he had competed in last week's Finnish Masters.
"I don't need that kind of thing, especially this week with so much at stake when I'm trying to sew up the Order of Merit title," he said.
Last evening, with no sign of his own clubs being located, his club sponsors Callaway were attempting to fit him out with a replacement set.
His brother uses Cleveland and, while David didn't envisage too many problems if forced to use them, his preference would be his own familiar set.
An in-form Higgins will obviously harbour hopes of adding a third title to his season's cv and, with 15 Irish in the field, there is also a genuine opportunity to end the drought of an Irish winner of a European Tour event on Irish soil which drags back to John O'Leary's success in the Irish Open in 1982.
With the big three of Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley on duty at the US PGA, Des Smyth will, in effect, lead the home challenge.
Smyth likes this Patrick Merrigan-designed course, having won the Irish PGA title here in 1996, and he also has the incentive of securing his card for next season. At present, he is 103rd in the moneylist.
Last year's tournament at Galway Bay, when it was named the West of Ireland Classic, was won by Costantino Rocca (who is back to defend the title), and he is one of a number of former Ryder Cup men - including Peter Baker, Eamonn Darcy, Philip Walton and Smyth - in the field.
"I think this dual badge tournament is a great idea," claimed Smyth, adding: "It gives everyone a chance to challenge for a tour title, older guys like me and younger guys who are just kick-starting their careers."
With a one-year exemption on the full tour to the winner, the title - as much as the prize-money - will be a big incentive.
Card Of The Course
Hole Yards Par Hole Yards Par
1 428 4 10 411 4 2 434 4 11 193 3 3 398 4 12 442 4 4 167 3 13 t 529 5 5 436 4 14 374 4 6 512 5 15 453 4 7 220 3 16 176 3 8 389 4 17 399 4 9 552 5 18 540 5
OUT 3536 36 IN 3517 36 Total 7053 72
