A classic contest from which we can only benefit

What a fabulous climax to the years of preparation that have gone into the staging of the Solheim Cup in Meath. Europe's 15-13 win will go down in the annals of golf history as one of the greatest contests ever seen as the underdog home side somehow fashioned a victory when the trophy seemed destined to remain in American hands. The entire weekend was a captivating spectacle from a number of perspectives - the spirited competition, the pristine condition of the Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course at Killeen Castle, the appreciative large galleries that followed the matches and the quality of the organisation that ensured the event and everything that surrounded it went off smoothly. The comments of the opposing team captains said it all. "This has been a really great week. You couldn't ask for a better experience, a better golf course," said the US team's Rosie Jones, while her European counterpart, Alison Nicholas gushed in the aftermath of an emotional victory: "It's unbelievable. I have no words to describe it. Their passion, they never gave up. It was an amazing display of golf. The drama and atmosphere here was just incredible." The superlatives came thick and fast from everyone for the quality of the competition, the venue and the crowds. Everything was perfect, except for the weather on the final day, of course. But, that apart, County Meath's first hosting of a major sports event on this scale was a triumph, and proof that the immense amount of work that went into the project during the past four years was worth it. The organisers had been hoping to put on a spectacular show - and they succeeded. Everything from Garda traffic control to the marshalling of the car parks, to the venue itself and all the ancillary activities like the festivals and events going on in the towns and villages around Killeen Castle created a real buzz, with thousands of visitors staying and spending money in local towns and villages throughout the county and beyond. The organisation was every bit as good as, if not better at every level, than the last Solheim Cup staged in 2009 in Illinois, according to visitors who were there. Clearly, the homework was done and close attention to detail during the months and years of preparation for the 2011 competition ensured nothing was left to chance. For this, great credit must go to all those involved in the organisation of the event - TwentyEleven, Killeen Castle itself, the volunteers and marshalls, Meath County Council, Meath Tourism, Failte Ireland and the many others associated with the event, including the Ladies European Tour and the US LPGA. Some 70,000 spectactors attended over the three days, close to the target of 75,000 - 28,000 of them on the last day alone. The attendance generated an estimated €30m for the local economy and the economy of the wider region, while hundreds of millions watched the dramatic action unfold on television across Europe and the United States. There was almost 90 per cent occupancy of 4,000 hotel bedrooms and B&Bs across the county and beyond as golfers and golf fans from several countries came and stayed locally. Hundreds of visitors played local golf courses, ate in local restaurants and drank in bars. Everyone played their part in ensuring that Meath looked the part as accommodation providers, golf clubs, tourism businesses and community groups put on entertainment, organised golf events and spruced up their towns and villages as they welcomed the thousands of visitors who flocked here to watch the spectacle. Ireland's reputation around the world, and particularly in the key tourism market of the United States, can only have been enhanced by the successful staging of the Solheim Cup. For this county, it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase this area and reach an estimated television audience of up to 700 million viewers. It is now up to those tasked with promoting tourism in this country to capitalise on the exposure that has been received and to miss no opportunity to promote the quality heritage and golf holidays that can be enjoyed in this county. The images witnessed last weekend will live long in the memory for those who were present or who watched the drama unfold on their TV screens. Capitalising on the legacy of the Solheim Cup and the goodwill generated towards Ireland and Meath should be the beginning of a new focus in this county on tourism, one of the crucial economic drivers helping Ireland's economy get back on its feet.