Kentucky To Be
Promoted At 2006 Ryder Cup
As Kentucky prepares to play host to the 2008 Ryder Cup, one of
the most exciting and prestigious sporting events in the world, officials are
gearing up to promote the matches during the 2006 Ryder Cub in Ireland next
week. This year's event will be held September 19-24 at the K Club in
Straffan.
Governor Ernie Fletcher and members from both the State Ryder
Cup Task Force and Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson's City Task Force will
travel to Ireland to attend, observe and participate in this year's Ryder Cup
activities.
Governor Fletcher appointed a 16-member task force last year to
oversee the management of the state's preparedness for this large-scale event.
Mayor Abramson also appointed a 16-member task force to manage the event on a
local level. Both groups have been working hand-in-hand to ensure Kentucky
maximizes the potential economic impact this event will have on the
commonwealth.
"It is our hope that the 2006 Ryder Cup will place Kentucky in
the international spotlight," said Secretary Gene Strong. "Our mission is to
make the 2008 Ryder Cup the most successful in the history of the matches.
Experiencing the '06 matches and learning first-hand what is needed to put on
an event of this caliber will be invaluable to accomplishing this goal."
On display for the 36,000 expected daily visitors will be the
Kentucky Exhibit, featuring the state and city as a tourism destination, as
well as a site for business location and expansion. Approximately 155 European
companies currently have operations in Kentucky.
The 2008 Ryder Cup, to be held September 16-21 at Louisville's
Valhalla Golf Club, is expected to bring in 210,000 spectators, worldwide media
attention, and an economic impact exceeding $100 million to the state. Kentucky
is only the third state to have hosted three of the four PGA of America Major
Championships: PGA Championship 1996 and 2000, Senior PGA Championship 2004 and
the 2008 Ryder Cup.
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