Touts struggling to cash in at Valhalla

Valhalla Blog: Most people would like to make a quick buck and the gentle folk of Louisville are no different judging by the introduction of a $5 cover charge to walk down Fourth Street. It's a pedestrian thoroughfare - think Dublin's Grafton Street - choc-full of bars and restaurants and in honour of the Ryder Cup they've put together a programme of events.

Pride of place goes to a huge stage festooned with massive speakers, the number of which wouldn't look out of place at a rock concert. It's not a very long street so it's impossible to get away from the sheer volume of noise being blasted out by various bands. The fact that most of the venues offer their own music ensures that there is no refuge.

Introducing a cover charge to walk down a street where you're going to be overcharged for food and drink anyway is a bit of a liberty.

Several tuxedo clad Ryder Cup Gala Dinner invitees mingled with the locals and a sizeable European contingent, including a healthy gathering of Irish people. This eclectic mix was swelled by at least a couple of ticket touts.

One English guy clutching a wad of tickets for the International Pavilion was offering the passes for $120 each, $35 over face value. A little negotiation and he was prepared to sell them for $100. The demand appeared negligible, so much so that the tout returned three minutes later with a final offer of $80: that's five euros less than the face value.

It simply highlighted that there isn't a massive demand and that those looking for Ryder Cup tickets could pick them up for about $50 if the demand continues to be sluggish. The crowds at the golf course for the practice days are a mirror image of what appears - for now at least - to be lukewarm interest.

On a lighter and more trivial note, RTE radio broadcaster Greg Allen - he's as old as Methuselah - was asked for identification going into a bar much to the golf commentator's delight. We're hoping that the security man in question enjoys a full recovery from the operation to remove cataracts from both eyes.