OFFICIAL VISITORS GUIDE

With spectator opportunities all along the race
route, this is an event you don’t want to miss.
Athletes cross the finish line in the heart of
downtown Louisville with cheering crowds carrying
them to the end at Fourth Street Live!
Australian Chris McDonald crossed the finish
line in just 8 hours, 38 minutes, 39 seconds to
win in 2007, while Florida’s Heather Gollnick
finished in 9 hours, 23 minutes, 22 seconds
to win the women’s professional division – her
5th Ironman.
The Louisville event serves as a qualifier for
the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-
Kona, Hawaii in October. Ford Ironman
Louisville returns through 2011 with the 2008
event scheduled for Labor Day Weekend. To
learn more, visit www.ironmanlouisville.com.
Ryder Cup
September 16–21, 2008, Louisville will host
one of the world’s most prestigious sporting
events, the 37th Ryder Cup. The Ryder Cup
is an international celebration of the game of
golf, as well as a meeting between teams from
the United States and Europe. Earning a
berth on a Ryder Cup Team is considered one
of the jewels of a golf professional’s career.
The greatest names in golf have competed in
this biennial event since its origin in 1927.
Valhalla Golf Club, located on the city’s
east side, will play host to this international
affair. The 37th Ryder Cup is anticipated to
produce an economic impact of $115 million
in the region. Television coverage of this
dynamic event will be broadcast to more than
127 million viewers in 76 different countries
or territories.
The Jack Nicklas-designed Valhalla Golf
Club was the site of the 1996 & 2000 PGA
Championships,
as well as the
2004 Senior
PGA Championship.
Ranked
No. 68 in the
most recent list of
“America’s 100
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