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After all, the "" is famously known as the birthplace of (perhaps not quite what Ryder had in mind for his chicken sandwiches but close enough).

Good old Colonel Sanders opened his first restaurant in the small front room of a gas station in Corbin, Kentucky in 1930, acting as station operator, cook and cashier all at the same time.

By 2006, more than a billion of his "" chicken dinners were served annually around the world, including not an inconsiderable number at Louisville airport - yep, you guessed it KFC was one of the first things I saw on arrival.

But what else is Kentucky known for?

Quick investigation reveals that this gastronomic hub is also home to the and to , the latter a particularly exciting discovery since the 37th Ryder Cup coincides with the 17th annual .

Whiskey (spelt with an e in these parts) is a serious business here.

Maker's Mark, Jim Beam, Wild Turkey, Knob Creek, Old Ezra Rare Old Sippin' Whiskey (it's even got its own and pretty much any other bourbon you care to mention that's not Jack Daniels (Tennessee) come from Kentucky.

They even had a "Ryder Cup of whiskey" debate at a last week with a specially imported Scotsman singing the praise for Scotch and an American cheerleading for bourbon.

Sadly, I wasn't here for that, but a restaurant insider tells me bourbon won a home decision. Beware the omens Nick Faldo.

Louisville pre-dates its whiskey, however.

The city - currently the with a population of 558,000 - was named for King Louis XVI.

Acting - it must be said - against the spirit of the European golf pact that was to follow 201 years later, the French king sent supplies and soldiers to the fledgling United States in 1778, helping to secure their independence from Great Britain.

Louis' "ville" (town) has been home to all sorts since then.

From (inventor) to Tom Cruise (actor) via Zachary Taylor (president) and Hunter S Thompson (author), all have savoured the streets of the USA's official most .

And then, of course, there is Muhammad Ali.

Tomorrow, I'll take a closer look at Louisville sport and in particular at Ali and another famous city slugger, but in the meantime, do share any Kentucky facts or anecdotes that spring to mind.

I'll leave you with this nugget - apparently in Kentucky anyone who has been drinking is "sober" until he/she "". I'm just off to the bourbon festival then...