Musings from Straffan - lessons I learned from the Irish! <r>In my estimation, the most generous, gracious, sincere and fun-loving people I've met anywhere on the planet.....period. What a wonderful people and beautiful country. My only regret, outside of the obvious ass-kickin' was that I couldn't stay longer and see more. <br/> <br/> <br/> 1) How to properly pronounce the national word of the Irish....as in <br/> F%$K! Used in any context or form - noun, verb or adjective, properly pronunced with two O's....as in FOOK! <E>:lol:</E> <br/> <br/> 2) The true feelings of the Irish towards their neighbors to the east - the English.....the most fitting description I heard, "Fookin' English Coonts"!<br/> <br/> <E>:lol:</E> <E>:lol:</E> <br/> <br/> Once I discovered the above and after more than my fair share of Guiness, one evening, I suggested to one of the Irish lads who frequented the local village pub - and prior to the start of the event - that perhaps the way the Europeans could improve their Ryder Cup team was to limit it again to just the English and.....drumroll please.....have Prince Charles be the permanent Captain. I will never forget the vision of a mouthful of Guiness spat from his mouth in sheer apoplectic rage!!!!! <E>:lol:</E> <br/> <br/> 3) A pint of Guiness we have over in the States does not even qualify as Guiness? I don't enjoy it over here....over there, it is as smooth as silk and went down like chocolate milk. I asked the local pub owner why? He simply responded, "It doesn't travel well!" and went on to suggest that there are even big differences between pubs in Ireland - which I then of course had to test.....quite right he is. I was in the garden spot....better than mother's milk itself.<br/> <br/> 4) The National Symbol? What else...a pint of Guiness! During the victory celebration, both Clarke and Woosie pounded back a pint of Guiness - without taking a breath - to the wild cheers of the raucous crowd standing outside the club. Indeed, the trophy - The Ryder Cup - was on display in a case surrounding by a showcase of local produce....vegetables, etc. One of the golf commentators on Ryder Cup Radio was aghast at the display suggesting that the only proper way to display the trophy in Straffan, County Kildare was in a giant pint of Guiness! <br/> <br/> 5) I was there a week or so and did more than my part to empty every Guiness keg in the vicinity....I did not have to pay for more than 2-3 pints all week.....no exxagerration. If a local saw you with a half-empty pint, they considered it a matter of national pride. A full pint was in your other hand, before the original was empty.<br/> <br/> 6) True nirvana......we stayed at a private residence in the village of Straffan itself. The residence was 30 feet from the ONLY pub in Straffan, approx. 100 yards from the entrance of the K-Club and was owned by the pub owner. The owner gave me directions late one night.....keep your left hand on the wall. When the wall stops, find the knob and open the door! <E>:lol:</E> <br/> <br/> 7) Mrs Woods looks better in person.....and that's sayin' alot! She followed her husband around every hole, every day. Rain or shine....it seems most of the wives did also and the vast majority are smokin' hot!<br/> Better yet, Mrs Furyk is a Buckeye alum and gave me and my travelling Buckeye posse a solid O-H as she and Mrs Woods walked by! Michael Jordan also followed Tiger every day from from inside the ropes....<br/> <br/> <E>8)</E> It rains every day in Ireland.....my observations and experience. No wonder everything is so magnificently green.<br/> <br/> 9) The Irish did a magnificent job at the event. EVERYTHING was absolutely top shelf. Every element of the organization and logistics of the event itself was first class. <br/> <br/> 10) The K Club is a outstanding. Course, club, hotel and private residences on the perimeter of the course as well as Mr Smurfits 30,000 sq ft home on the #10 green are unbelievable in their elegance. The course layout, however, is no more Irish than is Oakmont, Augusta, Winged Foot or Merion. It has a distinctly US feel and layout. Magnificent nonetheless.... <br/> <br/> <br/> 11) Never offer to give an Irishmen a ride.....offer to give him a lift. When we asked one of the local lads if we could give him a ride, the look he gave us suggested we had said something a bit inappropriate.....he then laughingly explained that a ride is something more appropriate for male homosexuals. Oops..... <E></E> <br/> <br/> More later as I recall it....good, good stuff. <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> Terry.....seeking honorary membership in the "I love the Irish Society"</r>
Good stuff! I went to the K Club site to see what it costs to stay there....it's pretty expensive! But it looks beautifull. I did read that the Palmer course caused quite a stir when it was built because it was so american, the Smurfit course is more Irish but they consider it a bit odd because it's links style and there is no ocean there!! Did you see the rag that called all the american wivies ho's and porn stars!! Terry
The Club Hotel is top shelf stuff. Somebody told me it was the only 5 star hotel in Ireland, although I don't know if that is true....As you can imagine, security was incredible and everywhere. The national police force - GARDA - as well as European AND U.S. military special forces and Secret Service were taking care of business. The teams and visiting dignitaries were the only ones staying at the hotel during the week. It was surrounded tight as a drum with GARDA forces and nobody but those staying at the hotel could get close enough to sniff. Seeking a box of my favorite Cubans for the week - I innocently sauntered up to gain entry. Quickly stopped by a firm but polite GARDA, I explained my situation and he looked at me as if I had completely lost my mind.....oh well, nice try. :wink: I did not see the the rag in question, but all the Irish people I talked with were horrified and embarrassed by the situation. Terry