The sun has set on the Irish Open in Bally bunion, and the European Open is playing itself out tomorrow, but golfers will not have time to draw breath before the J.P. McManus Invitational Pro-Am 2000 begins next week.
Featuring the magical name of Tiger Woods, the two-day charity event will make Limerick the focus of international media attention as other celebrities such as Alex Ferguson, Eddie Jordan and Chris de Burgh descend on the golf course at Ballyclough.
But most attention will be on Tiger Woods who, with 43 other professionals from around the world, will compete with amateur teams in Monday and Tuesday's charity event which, when last held five years ago, raised £2.9 million for local causes. This year, something between £3 million and £4 million is expected to be raised.
"The prize fund is £400,000 over the two days," Mr John Harty, chairman of the organising committee, said. "The prize fund for the best professional over the two days is £33,000."
The coup in securing Tiger Woods's participation came down to the personal touch. The Limerick-born financier, J.P. McManus, famous for owning the triple hurdle winner, Istabraq, and Woods are both members of the Isleworth Golf Club in Florida. When they met at the Ryder Cup at Brookline last year, Mr McManus told him about the pro-am in Limerick and Woods offered to play for no fee. Spectators, restricted to 7,000 per day, are being charged £20, with tickets being sold through Limerick Golf Club and local sports outlets. The 44 amateur teams of three are paying £40,000 to enter, and will have a one in 22 chance of being drawn with Tiger Woods.
Ms Siobhan McCormack, of the Limerick Sports Shop, said she was expecting a big increase in sales today. "The hype is only starting with players arriving," she said.
Among the local charities, the Milford Hospice in Castletroy, the Mid-Western Hospital Development Trust, Limerick Youth Services and mental health associations will benefit from funds raised.
Tiger Woods ill be joined by David Duval, Mark O'Meara, Lee Janzen, Robert Allenby and Rocco Mediate. Among the European golfers who will attend are Lee Westwood, Darren Clarke and Jean van de Velde. "There is no appearance money being paid," Mr Harty said.
At Tuesday's gala banquet at the Adare Manor the top prize being offered in a draw will be an opportunity to play with Tiger Woods in Isleworth.
With the biggest line-up since the 1960 Canada Cup at Portmarnock, the success of the event has concerned Standard Life, sponsors of a Scottish tournament starting on Wednesday. Players participating at both events are expected to forgo a practice round at Loch Lomond after arriving in Glasgow on a specially chartered plane on Tuesday afternoon.