Wales to host 2010 Ryder Cup

The award winning Celtic Manor Resort near Newport, Wales, will host the 2010 Ryder Cup.

The resort fought off stiff competition from venues such as Gleneagles in Scotland to win the two-yearly golf tournament between European and US teams.

The bid benefited from the support of politicians in the National Assembly led by First Minister, Rhodri Morgan, Minister for Sport, Jenny Randerson as well as the Welsh development Agency, the Wales Tourist Board and the Sports Council for Wales. The Welsh Golfing Union also supported the bid.

Chairman of the Wales Ryder Cup Bid, Tony Lewis, said winning the bid would help enhance the perceptions of Wales, increase inward investment and enable local authorities to enhance their plans for development. Tourism would also benefit, as well as the game of golf itself. Lewis also praised Terry Mathews, the owner of Celtic Manor.

We would not be celebrating a victory if we had not had a remarkable patriot and entrepreneur in Sir Terry Matthews, who was bold enough to think his Celtic Manor might one day host a Ryder Cup.