Ireland is becoming as popular with Scandinavians as it was a millennium ago, though in a far more beneficial way, from our standpoint. Following on a commitment by the Swedish Golf Federation to have their main training base here, a more modest arrangement has been agreed with the Finns.

Jim McDaid, the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, announced yesterday that a group of four Finnish players will travel here in April, when they will seek entry into the West of Ireland Championship. Their primary objective, however, is to train on north-west links courses such as Bundoran, Murvagh, Rosses Point and Enniscrone.

The players, aged between 19 and 23, will be accompanied by their coach. "This comes as a result of an approach by Bord Failte which is marketing Ireland as a holiday destination in Finland," said the Minister.

Janne Marvaila, head of coaching for the Finnish Golf Union, acknowledged that, through reputation and tradition, Ireland was one of the great golf countries. "Your tough links courses will add new and challenging elements to our international training programme, which is based mainly in Spain," he said.