AS Tigermania sweeps the globe, the PGA's first "National Golf Week" - which runs from April 21st to 27th - must have been arranged with the aid of some mystic's crystal ball.

The Irish Region PGA will next week have 36 centres around the country offering a range of services to potential newcomers to the sport - "young and old, including those who never ever imagined they'd hold a golf club in their hands," enthused Michael McCumiskey, the region's secretary.

"This initiative was organised against a background in the USA which shows that some 80 per cent of people who take up golf actually leave it, and with falling figures for the sport in England, Scotland and Wales. In Ireland, however, we are very much holding our own, but we hope this campaign will heighten an awareness of what our members can offer," said McCumiskey.

Indeed, it is a measure of the European Tour players' commitment to the week that Darren Clarke will be present at Ballyearl Golf Club, Newtownabbey, next Monday to get the campaign off to a swinging start.