Straffan put in its first bid to host the Ryder Cup in 1988, before the course had even been built, for the 1993 event. In 1990, the north course, designed by Arnold Palmer, was completed. Straffan staged the PGA cup in 1991 and Irish professional Championship in 1992. As a result of a £1 million sponsorship offer form Smurfit Kappa, the European Open moved its annual home to Straffan in 1995. In 1999, Straffan's bid for the Ryder Cup was eventually accepted by the European PGA. The tournament was staged in September 2006. The south course was completed in 2003 and used for the European Open of 2004.