Small businesses continued turning to the U.S. Small Business Administration for commercial credit in record numbers through the first three quarters of FY 2005, reflecting their confidence in the U.S. economy and the stability of the SBAloan program that backs their loans.

Small businesses secured SBA backing under the agency's flagship 7(a) program for 71,131 loans through the first nine months of the fiscal year, a 21 percent increase over the same period a year ago and a 49 percent increase over the same period two years ago.

The loans made so far this year amount to $11.1 billion, 19.5 percent more than in the same period last year, and on a clear pace for a record-setting year for the program.

Europe achieved their biggest victory in history of The Ryder Cup after sensationally sweeping to success in Sunday?s singles matches. The emphatic winning score of 18.5 to 9.5 points resulted from Europe winning seven out of the 12 singles matches. The American side, gallant in defeat, claimed four singles matches while one game was halved. Ryder Cup Tickets Fittingly it was Colin Montgomerie, the man known as Europe?s ?Mr Ryder Cup?, who won his singles to win The 34th Ryder Cup Matches.

The Scot justified his selection as Bernhard Langer?s Captain?s pick by defeating David Toms on the 18th hole on Oakland Hill Country Club?s South Course.

Montgomerie, after a colossal battle against his American opponent, was one up playing the last and holed a tricky downhill par putt from four feet to win his match by one hole and secure the point which gave Europe an unbeatable 14.5 points.

In the match ahead England?s Lee Westwood had defeated Kenny Perry on the 18th, also by one hole, to pave the way for Montgomerie to secure the trophy for Europe.

Westwood?s point had moved Europe onto 13.5 points and with only 14 points required to retain The Ryder Cup, Montgomerie only needed to half his match to ensure a tie to see the trophy stay in European hands.

Europe?s other winners in the singles were Spaniard Sergio Garcia who beat Phil Mickelson 3&2 in the second match out to give his team a huge lift.

France?s Thomas Levet defeated Fred Funk on the 18th by one hole in one of six singles matches that went to the last. Padraig Harrington from Ireland beat Jay Haas by one hole while England?s Ian Poulter triumphed over Chris Riley 3&2.

Irishman Paul McGinley, the man who holed the winning putt for Europe two years ago, was in the last match out and won against Stewart Cink 3&2.

In a thrilling match between Northern Ireland?s Darren Clarke and Davis Love III, Clarke missed a four foot par putt on the last that would have given him victory. The game ended all square.

The first singles game of the afternoon saw Tiger Woods record a comfortable victory over England?s Paul Casey 3&2 to put American points on the board while Jim Furyk trounced another Englishman David Howell 6&4.

Chad Campbell claimed the scalp of England?s Luke Donald 5&3 and Chris DiMarco overcame Spain?s Miguel Angel Jimenez by one hole.

"We had a record year for this loan program a year ago, and we're going to set another record in 2005," said SBA Administrator Hector V. Barreto. "It tells us that the critics are wrong, that small businesses are confident enough to invest in the future of the American economy, and that this program is here to help them do it. It also demonstrates the effectiveness of the self-funded footing on which the President has placed the loan program, and the confidence that lenders have in its stability. I am very pleased with this performance so far this year."

The gains are also reflected in the SBA's Certified Development Company, or 504, loan program. Through the first nine months of the fiscal year, the 504 program had issued 6,434 loans worth $3.44 billion, more than 6 percent ahead of the same period a year ago, when the program had produced 6,058 loans for $2.88 billion.

The budget for the current year makes more than $21 billion available to small businesses through the two loan programs, including $16 billion in small business lending under the 7(a) program and $5 billion under the 504 program.

For information on applying for an SBA loan, visit the SBA's extensive Web site