HOMEOWNERS from around the Forest are jostling to reap a once in a lifetime bonanza from American golfers by trying to rent out their houses for up to £25,000 a shot.

Visitors coming for next year's Ryder Cup are being asked to pay more than the UK's average annual income for one week's rental of some homes in Chepstow, Monmouth and as far afield as Newent.

Close to the racecourse in Chepstow, Nick McNeill is has registered online and is asking £25,000 for his five bedroomed house.

Nearby in Thornwell, Paul Singleton is asking £12,500 per week for a four bedroomed house. Just across the Wye in Beachley, Angela Jones offers a choice – £19,500 for a week or £25,000 for two weeks.

For £10,000 per week, golfers can nestle in a Wye Valley stone cottage, with the: "Use of a Lexus during the event". In St Briavels, £12,000 gets you a 'chauffeur service to Celtic Manor' and to and from the airport.

In Shirenewton the asking price is £15,000 per week, St Arvans £10,000, Monmouth £16,000, Devauden £15,000, Blakeney Hill's Forest View Cottage is available at £12,000 for two weeks while Cinderford's Victoria House is "negotiable".

Further afield in Newent, bird of prey expert Jemima Parry Jones, has put her Victorian vicarage up to let for £22,000 per week – but that does include bed and breakfast, "the most authentic of English hospitality", sharing the house with dogs and the opportunity of a helicopter taxi service.

The Ryder Cup is golfing's equivalent of the Ashes with a European team led by Colin Montgomerie and the American's captained by Corey Pavin. Players will begin practising at courses at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, in late September 2010, with the main competition taking place between October 1 and 3. The event is expected to attract about 45,000 spectators a day and bring between £45m and £75m into the regional economy.

But, accommodation at the 400 room Celtic Manor is already booked.

Paul Williams, PR Manager at the resort said: "It was part of our agreement that all of the players, family, tournament officials and media would stay here. We don't have any rooms to sell and never have had. I suspect hotels from Swansea to Bristol and the Cotswolds will be benefitting from the business."

As for taxi or chauffeur services, he warns: "There's no point in trying to get to the resort by car during the tournament, there won't be any access. The only way of travelling in will be from park and rides in Newport".

For private landlords, the proof of the pudding is whether they manage to let houses at the asking price. Letting agents like Moon & Co in Chepstow have already made a deliberate decision not to become involved in the race to rent for the Ryder.

Helen Butler of Ryder Cup Wales said: "We are aware there are private businesses operating who have been working quite hard to attract private owners to advertise on their websites, for a fee. We've urged private owners to make sure they're covered in terms of insurance and to be aware they will be taxed on any income gained.

"It will be interesting to see if anyone lets their house at such prices. Our advice, based on previous Ryder Cups is that there won't be a very strong demand for private rented accommodation."

The Review has been told most hotel accommodation in Chepstow has been booked solid in advance of the tournament.