Louis Copeland tailor to the European Ryder Cup team.
He may be a giant on the green, but Ian Woosnam is quite a small man, according to the man who last year sold him what he says was the first suit that fitted him properly.
Louis Copeland will have a team of up to 10 tailors at the K Club in Kildare next week to do last-minute nips and tucks on more than 70 different outfits that Copeland has supplied to the European Ryder Cup team.
His role as outfitter to the team for all the formal occasions was won last year when team captain Ian Woosnam popped in to buy a suit.
"Now I'm small," Copeland says. "But he's smaller, and when he tried on the Italian Canali suit, it fitted him to a tee. All it needed was the trousers taking up. And he was so happy with it he wanted Canali to do the suits for the Ryder Cup." Negotiations ensued, and the Ryder Cup officials travelled to Canali's operation in Sovico, near Milan. The different outfits will be worn for travelling, at the official opening ceremony, for dinners and for the closing ceremony.
Irish designer Paul Costello will be dressing the wives and girlfriends of the European team members.
Meanwhile the inside-leg measurements of Europe's top golfers have been arriving at Copeland's Wicklow Street outlet, and any last minute adjustments will be made next week, before the opening ceremony. "We've done six different outfits for all 12 players, so it's more than 70 outfits."
"We've been keeping the suits under wraps. They've all been chosen by ourselves, Ian Woosnam and Canali." The American team will be clad in Ralph Lauren.
The sharpest fashion eyes may be on the women, but Copeland says the men won't be just a backdrop of greys or blacks. "They will be colourful as well. When you see golfers on the golf course they tend to be colourful." Catherine Cleary.
The Ryder Cup opening ceremony takes place on Thursday. Photograph: Maxwell Photography