Long-term planning, attention to detail and Ireland's renowned hospitality should make the hosting of the 2006 Ryder Cup a huge success, organisers claimed.
For the first time in its 79-year history, the biennial team competition will be staged on Irish soil and meticulous preparations for the 36th edition have been under way since 2001.
"I think the Irish are going to bring the most enormous passion for and enjoyment of sport to next year's Ryder Cup," European Tour executive director George O'Grady told Reuters.
"We have just had a 'Year To Go' gala dinner for about 900 people in Dublin, for which the two speakers were Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern and myself, and it focused the commitment of the whole community.
"The 2006 match at the K Club will be absolutely staggering and they have a history of welcoming great sportsmen to Ireland of whatever nationality.
"I think they will have an even bigger roar than there was at Birmingham airport a few Ryder Cups ago when Tom Watson pushed his trolley out of the airport.
"Naturally, there will be huge support for the home side, particularly for the Irish players, but the U.S. team, led by (captain) Tom Lehman and (world number one) Tiger Woods, will get a phenomenal welcome from the Irish crowds."
Watson, a five-times British Open champion, captained the U.S. Ryder Cup team at The Belfry in 1993 when they beat Europe by 15 points to 13.
While taking nothing for granted for next year's edition, tournament director Richard Hills is delighted that long-range preparations have gone smoothly.
"We are comfortable with preparations for the K Club as things stand but, of course, things can still bite you and there are still 10 months to go," Hills said.
"However, the dates are settled, there have been no glitches on the transport front, Ryder Cup accommodation is looking good and the Irish government have been very helpful to us.
"Ireland is a welcoming country, the Irish are known for their partying attributes and I would imagine the live attendance for next year would be, with the practice days added in, between 150,000 and 200,000."
