Ecological twist to Ryder Cup

WHATEVER about the prospects of subpar scoring in the Ryder Cup at Valderrama next September, there are certain to be birdies in abundance in another forthcoming clash between Europe and the US. And to add to the excitement, it will all be over in only 24 hours.

This is the Birdwatching Ryder Cup, which offers an ecological twist to transatlantic rivalry from midnight on May 20th to midnight on May 21st. That is when a team of 12 European birdwatchers at 12 different golf courses will take on 12 Americans based at 12 prime birdwatching (and golfing) sites in the US.

Over the 24 hour period, each team member will be scouring a particular course, trying to observe as many bird species as possible. Victory will go to the team which compiles the highest number of sightings.

As in the game played with the little white ball, the match will be conducted strictly on the honour system. But in view of the larger American avifauna, the US will be conceding strokes, or birdies, if you will. The handicap system is based on approximately eight US species matching five from Europe.

Appropriately, Valderrama is the premier European site where local naturalist Martin Jacoby will be spearheading the attempt to outwit the Americans. "Given that it is home to over 100 bird species, I think of Valderrama as a nature reserve in which people play golf," said Jacoby.

Two courses in Hungary and one at Bled in Slovenia make up Eastern Europe's contribution to the team. These are considered to be important sites because more species are to be found there than in western countries.

Another key location will be the magnificent Domain Imperial, set in wooded parkland on the shores of Lake Geneva at Gland, Switzerland. Falsterbo golf course in Sweden is also thought to be a premier choice insofar as it is situated on one of Europe's most important bird observatories.

Europe's team will be captained by Surreybased David Stubbs, who is the director of the European Golf Association's Ecology Unit. "The Americans must start favourites," he admitted yesterday. "They have chosen some pretty wild places, but we have some very good sites of our own."

He added: "I think people will be surprised at just how many species of birds are to be found on these golf courses. Our great fear, however, is that the Americans may have unearthed a Tiger Woods with binoculars!" Results are expected on the evening of May 22nd.

The event is one of a number of ecological activities being arranged as a buildup to the Ryder Cup proper, in September. Though lighthearted in concept, it is nonetheless being viewed as a serious attempt at showing that properly designed and managed golf courses can provide important habitat for wildlife.