The countdown to the Ryder Cup in 2005 has already begun at the K Club in Straffan Co Kildare where plans are under way to build a village of luxury apartments, as well as 35 houses on the edge of a new 18-hole golf course. The golf course, to be known as K2, is likely to be designed by Arnold Palmer and will be used by members in the run up to the Europe vs America event.

Outline planning permission has been granted for the 35 houses, which will range in size from 1,200 to 2,000 sq ft. It is thought likely that the K Club may sell on the sites to a builder, who will eventually put the houses on the market. No prices have yet been fixed but the smaller units are expected to start at around £500,000.

The Smurfit Group, which controls the K Club, plans to expand the facilities at the five-star country club before the Ryder Cup. The proposed village, which is being designed by Brian O'Halloran & Associates, will comprise a two and three-storey block of apartments in an old walled garden setting beside the sports complex. The apartments will range in size from 900 sq ft to 2,500 sq ft.

Many of the houses already on the estate are rented out during the year to facilitate overflow from the hotel. Most of these are owned by international business people.

One of the most interesting properties on the estate is an original lodge house that is available to let at £5,000 per month. Owned by a Canadian businessman, the luxuriously furnished three-bedroom house is a two-minute walk from the exclusive hotel. It overlooks the fairway of the seventh hole and has a pretty landscaped garden.

Robin Palmer of Gunne Residential, who is handling the letting of the property, says it will appeal to corporate bodies who may consider leasing it so that they could offer it to clients or employees. The K Club is considered the ultimate corporate get-away and its green fees, at around £140 for next year, are the most expensive in the country.

The house has a drawingroom and a diningroom, both furnished in Victorian style. There are three bedrooms all of them with marble floored en suite bathrooms. Interestingly, there is no kitchen in the house. Tenants are expected to use the restaurant facilities of the clubhouse or the hotel's exclusive restaurant.

Residents will be allowed full use of the hotel's health spa and other activities, such as fishing on the River Liffey, can be arranged at the club.