European Open comes too late in the season

THERE is an inherent danger in staging a European Tour event in Ireland at the tail end of September. Whatever about assembling a quality field - including two of the top five players in the world as occurred at the Smurfit European Open - or ensuring the course is in pristine condition, the weather, which is in the lap of the gods, invariably becomes the central factor.

For the second successive year, such was the case at The K Club. While wind and rain are merely construed as obstacles to be overcome by the players, it is no fun for spectators (even with the aid of windcheaters and the latest in waterproofs) and the official attendance figures for the four days of competition in Straffan bear adequate testimony to the challenge facing the tournament organisers.

Compared to last year, there was a fall off of more than 4,000 over the four days. A total of 46,809 spectators attended the tournament this time round, contrasted with a figure of 51,056 last year. The clash with the AllIreland Football Final replay did not help matters for Sunday's final round and the most dramatic decrease was actually recorded here, with a disappointing 13,342 in attendance, a drop of 6,421 on the same day last year.

It would appear that the prospect of viewing action from afar in the comfort of the living room - and the option of flicking channels and sporting allegiances with the TV zapper - was far more appealing than actually being present in the flesh. Which is a pity, because facilities at The K Club are comparable to anywhere on the circuit and the course itself, a fact acknowledged by the players, is a superb test of golf.

The problem would appear to lie in the slot allocated to the European Open in the tour schedule. While the Murphy's Irish Open has a prime place in the first week in July, the European Open comes a little too late in the season. Apart from the weather considerations, most people have used up their holiday allocations and children have also returned to school.

The European Open would benefit hugely by a move to an earlier date. The tour schedule for next season is due to be finalised at the Volvo Masters in Valderrama later this month and it would be some feat if the event's organisers can pull some strings to win an earlier date. The most attractive week as far as the European Open is concerned is probably the one currently occupied by the British Masters, the last week in August.

Alternatively, sticking with the current dates (and praying for favourable weather conditions) does present the prospect of the Ryder Cup being on display every second year!

Anyway, it's a case of "a new week, a new venue" for Padraig Harrington who headed the Irish contingent in the European Open. His tied tenth position gave him his eighth top 10 finish of the season and, apparently, puts him ahead of Denmark's Thomas Bjorn and Scotland's Raymond Russell in the race for the Sir Henry Cotton award, for "rookie of the year."

Unlike the Order of Merit award, which is won purely on prize money and which seems destined to finish in Colin Montgomerie's hands for a record equalling fourth consecutive year, the "rookie" award (which has never being won by an Irishman) is decided after a selection process conducted by the European Tour, the R & A, and the Association of Golf Writers.

Intriguingly, Bjorn - winner of the Loch Lomond Invitational last Sunday week and tied sixth in The K Club - has been extended a sponsor's invite to compete in the German Masters at Motzener Zee, Berlin, starting on Thursday. Harrington and Russell are also in the field.

Des Smyth's decision to withdraw from the German Masters effectively finishes his season, as he has not qualified for the season's showcase, the Volvo Masters. However, Harrington will be accompanied by Ronan Rafferty, Philip Walton, Paul McGinley and Darren Clarke in the restricted 100 man field in Berlin.

Raymond Burns is third reserve and is unlikely to make the starting line up.