Okay! It’s finally here……..The Sports World will be focused on Louisville and Kentucky this week. The 37^th Ryder Cup kicks off Tuesday for player practice rounds, but the real play starts later in the week. Actually, the practice rounds are more fun because the players from the and EUROPE are more engaging before scoring starts.

We all have a chance to become ambassadors and hosts’ this week. This event is not exclusive to Louisville, while the play will take place at Valhalla , hundreds of guests are staying in Frankfort, Lexington, Georgetown and other Central Ky cities.

If you notice someone looking lost, confused or otherwise in need of help; be proactive and ask them if they need help. Consider the Horse Park , Midway, Toyota plant tours, Mary Todd Lincoln house, State Capitol tours etc……… when they ask for things to do during the week. It’s our time to shine.

I’ve worked with ESPN and NBC on their video footage needs for the last few weeks. Both networks plan on telling the “ Kentucky ” story many times throughout their programming. We should get good hits on the Today Show Thursday and Friday too!

There was some wind damage at Valhalla Sunday, but all reports indicate the course will be ready and no greens or fairways had torn turf. The World wide audience will see our entire state, not just Louisville , I promise. They’ll see our state from several perspectives. Bourbon history, Daniel Boone, PowerBilt, Louisville Slugger, Toyota, Abe Lincoln  and lots more.

I’ll be taking several Scottish, Irish, and English media folks to Valhalla during the week. I’ll also be taking them to some horse farms, Keeneland, Bourbon tours and stone fence scenic roads tours too. Gosh, when you stop and think about it, we really have a good bit of that part of Europe in our heritage here. Lots of the horse country looks like English and Irish country side, the stone fences were inspired from , and lots of our Bourbon is consumed over in the old country!

Remember, out of town guests’; from Europe or Knoxville or Cincinnati all get the same hospitable treatment and ‘thank you” for spending their money here in Kentucky ! Check out these sites if you’re looking for information about the Cup and how you can enjoy it first hand!

http://www.thecupexperience.com/

http://www.rydercup.com/2008/index.html

http://kentuckytourism.com/

“buckle up, slow down and get there in one piece”