Captains take Ryder Cup to Rathbane Golf Club

Ryder Cup Captains Luke Donald and Jim Furyk gave young golfers a day to remember when they visited Rathbane Golf Club in Limerick as part of the Year to Go celebrations.

Donald and Furyk took the historic Ryder Cup trophy to meet 30 boys and girls aged between two and 17 years old at the municipal venue which is owned by Limerick City and County Council.

After sharing some of their experiences from across their careers with the youngsters, the Captains then provided some guidance on the course as they oversaw a chipping and putting practice session run by Golf Ireland.

Rathbane Golf Club was opened in 1998 and through its inclusive golf programmes it aims to encourage participation and make golf accessible to more people from different backgrounds.

The junior golfers who attended the event at Rathbane had either participated in golf camps which are mixed age, ability, and open to all; the Golf Ireland Unleash Your Drive primary school programme; Golf Sixes Limerick League; been part of a Rathbane’s pilot junior framework development Course4All (which shortens the course based on ability including using ability tees); or are performance development players with Golf Ireland.

During the Captains’ visit, it was announced that as part of the legacy of next year’s contest, the Ryder Cup has donated 50 new sets of golf clubs to Rathbane Golf Club. They will be available for free to any juniors wanting to learn or develop their game. This will enable a child to begin their journey in the game with correctly sized clubs, practise with support and move to a different set as their skills and size change.

European Captain Luke Donald said: “This is a great initiative to get kids of all backgrounds into the game of golf. This is how I started, a little game of pitch and putt, playing fun games and just enjoying myself. Hopefully it leads to them wanting to continue the game and take it more seriously when they are older.

“I was really inspired by the people who came before me, the likes of Seve and Faldo and Langer, and now it is our responsibility to pass it onto these young kids to get them into the game. Golf has given me so much and it’s nice to see them enjoying themselves.

“Today shows the power of sport, the power of community and the power of giving back. To have the Ryder Cup here in Limerick is pretty special. They are already really into their golf and this will only help.”

US Captain Jim Furyk said:“Luke and I are very fortunate to play a game we love for a living, but we also understand the impact our events can have on the communities that host them. So it was really special to be here today and spend some time with these kids.

“The Ryder Cup legacy programme is about giving back and making sure young people have the opportunity to experience this great game, regardless of their background or circumstances. Hopefully, today gives some of these kids a chance to fall in love with golf and, who knows, maybe one day we’ll see one of them playing in a Ryder Cup.

“The Ryder Cup has created an incredible legacy over the last 100 years. To have an opportunity to add to that legacy and leave a positive imprint on the community here in Limerick and across Ireland is pretty special.”

The two Captains were greeted on their arrival at Rathbane Golf Club by Minister of Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan, who is the TD for Limerick County, and Limerick City and County Council’s Príomh Chomhairleoir, Councillor Tom Ruddle.

Minister O’Donovan said: “Rathbane is a municipal course owned by the local authority here in Limerick and we were very conscious that when we went on the journey with Ryder Cup, that we wanted to leave a proper legacy around democratisation.

“We wanted to make sure that kids and young people who might have an interest in golf or who might pick up an interest don't feel that there's a financial barrier to them being able to pick up a golf club, and that for me is really important.

“I think, positive attitude and inclusion for people, regardless of their financial situation and regardless of their ability, is important and we want to show that more people can gain access into the sport, regardless of their postal code, and more importantly, regardless of their ability.”

Príomh Chomhairleoir, Councillor Tom Ruddle, said: “The Ryder Cup gives us the chance to inspire a new generation of golfers and leave a positive legacy that reaches every corner of Limerick. To have Luke Donald and Jim Furyk here in Rathbane today, meeting young people and sharing their experiences, is something special. It is a moment never to be forgotten.

“Who knows, perhaps among the young golfers in attendance there is a future club captain, a future Irish international, or even a future Ryder Cup player.

“On behalf of the Mayor of Limerick, and the people of Limerick, I want to say thank you to everyone who has contributed to bringing us to this point. As we continue our countdown to welcoming the world to Limerick next year, we want to ensure that the legacy we create reaches every community and every young person who dreams of picking up a golf club for the very first time.”

Adare Manor will host the 2027 Ryder Cup from September 13-19, 2027. Europe will attempt to win the Ryder Cup for the third consecutive time following victories at Marco Simone in Rome, Italy, in 2023 and Bethpage in New York in 2025.