Bidding for Scotland

Gavin Hastings viewed me with suspicion before deciding: "We've met before, haven't we?" At that moment, I realised he had read the piece I did this time last year, expressing bafflement at how someone promoting Scotland's Ryder Cup bid, could be wearing an Old Head of Kinsale polo shirt.

"I hope the shirt (this time with the appropriate logo) meets with your approval," he said with admirable good humour. In Lytham last weekend, Ryder Cup Scotland 2009 showed itself to be very much alive, despite indications that Celtic Manor was the preferred choice of the PGA European Tour. Among other things, we were informed that £1 million sterling was being invested in five Scottish tournaments, to bolster the bid.

And far from conceding defeat, they preferred to quote an interview given by the tour's executive director to the Scotsman. "Anyone who thinks that what I've said (regarding a possible preference for the Welsh venue) is the last word, doesn't know how this works," Ken Schofield was quoted as saying. "Any hint of unfairness in the bidding process is quite fanciful. The reality is that Scotland have four months to make their bid the best it can be." Which is what they're doing, with a promise from Bank of Scotland to bring four major, sponsoring companies on board, including the Scottish and Newcastle Brewery, if the bid's successful.