Amateur Golfers Experience 'Ryder Cup' Competition in IRISH LINKS Championship

Stamford, Conn., January 9 - The 4^th Annual IRISH LINKS Championship will be held in Northern Ireland on May 8 to May 11, 2008. This unique 'Ryder Cup' format competition attracts both men and women amateur golfers from around the world to compete against their Irish counterparts in a three day tournament at three different links courses.

The field of two-person teams gives visiting golfers the opportunity to compete with local Irish players on some of Ireland's most challenging and spectacular courses. Held in a different area each year, this year's Championship outside of Belfast includes rounds at the Royal County Down Golf Course in Newcastle, Royal Portrush Golf Course (Dunluce) on the north coast and the Ardglass Golf Club.  Royal County Down and Royal Portrush are ranked 7^th and 12^th respectively in GOLF Magazine's "2007 Top 100 Golf Courses in the World".

Created by IRISH LINKS Tours and Travel, Inc., of Stamford Conn., the IRISH LINKS Championship package includes three nights accommodations with breakfast at the five-star Slieve Donard Resort & Spa, welcome reception and dinner, three tournament rounds of golf, motorcoach transfers, and the gala awards dinner with winners receiving Waterford crystal prizes. Entries remain open for a limited number of participants. For more information see www.irishlinkschampionship.com or call 1-800-824-6538.

"This is truly a unique golfing experience designed especially for luxury golf travelers. Last year we had two-person teams from five countries, primarily the United States and Ireland," says Maura Nolan, president and owner of IRISH LINKS Tours and Travel, Inc.  "We attract private country club members, local celebrities, professional golfers, media and corporate clients. We are expecting an elite field of 48 players."

The 'Ryder Cup' competition is a game played within the IRISH LINKS Championship's two person, better ball Stableford tournament. The 2008 United States team captain is Jim Peters of Portland Oregon. Moira Cassidy, golf director, Portmarnock Links of Dublin, Ireland will captain the Irish team. The USA has won the 'Ryder Cup' competition for the past two years.

"Come prepared to have fun. You're going to meet some very interesting people," says Peters, who with his teammate, Randy Hanna of Lake Powell, Fla., won First Place Low Net in 2007.

Held in Dublin in 2007, the Low Gross winners who will be defending this year are Peter Bonell, vice president, Ginn Reunion Resort, Orlando, Fla. and John Wight, Cape Town, South Africa.

The quality of the competition is further enhanced by tournament director Warren Bottke. A  PGA Master Professional with 34 years experience managing and directing golf instructional programs, he is the director of instruction at the Abacoa Golf Club in Jupiter, Florida. Bottke is widely recognized as one of the country's top golf instructors, including receiving the prestigious 2005 Horton Smith Award from the PGA of America for outstanding and continuing contributions to professional education.

The Courses

Royal County Down, one of the oldest golf clubs in Ireland was designed by Old Tom Morris in 1889. Host to the 2007 Walker Cup, the course is not only a fine test of golf but has spellbinding scenery. Tom Watson called it "a tremendous test of golf and the outward half especially is as fine a nine holes as I have ever played". Ranked # 7 on the 2007 Top 100 Courses in the World, by GOLF Magazine.

Royal Portrush Golf Club's Dunluce course is overlooked by the ruins of the 13th Century Dunluce Castle. It is a masterpiece of golf architecture, famous for its magnificent turf and excellent holes, many of which require long and accurate drives made all the more difficult by the high winds. The 1951 British Open was played here, the only time it has ever been held away from mainland Britain. Ranked # 12, 2007 Top 100 Courses in the World, GOLF Magazine.

The Ardglass Course hugs the coastline, with no fewer than 8 holes where the Irish Sea coastline comes into play. The Irish Sea is visible from all 18 holes and on a clear day it is possible to see across the Irish Sea to the Isle of Man.

The Accommodations

The magnificent Slieve Donard Resort & Spa is nestled in the heart of County Down where "the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea". With opulent, Victorian architectural themes, it stands on six acres of private grounds leading to an expansive golden beach and the Royal County Down Golf Course. Two blocks away is the lively resort town of Newcastle. The Slieve Donard Hotel has been providing the best of Irish hospitality for over one hundred years.

The Company

IRISH LINKS Tours and Travel Inc., is a luxury golf travel operator specializing in personalized golf tours to Ireland, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy and South Africa. Founded by President Maura Nolan nearly twenty years ago, the company has arranged thousands of customized golf tours to experience the most challenging and breathtaking links golf in the world. As Safari Golf Tours, it arranges custom designed golf, safari and wine tours to Southern Africa. The company is based in Stamford, Connecticut.