ONE THOUSAND DAYS TO GO TO THE 2010 RYDER CUP IN WALES
The biennial match between Europe and the United States will take place on October 1-3 and it will be the first time that Wales has hosted the event. It represents a once in a lifetime opportunity for golf fans throughout the country, and overseas, who will travel thousands of miles to watch their golfing heroes. Rhodri Morgan, First Minister for the Welsh Assembly Government, said: "The economic and business advantages available to Wales from hosting such a high profile event are already clear. There are opportunities for Welsh companies to supply goods and services to the event itself and obvious advantages to those seeking to raise the profile of Wales as a business and tourism destination in the meantime." John Jermine, Chairman of Ryder Cup Wales, explained: "Wales is becoming recognised as a world class golfing destination and hosting The Ryder Cup is attracting interest throughout the golfing world. The match will be broadcast to over 100 countries and will give us a unique opportunity to showcase Wales to the world." The 2010 Ryder Cup will be played on the recently opened Twenty Ten course at The Celtic Manor Resort, the first course specifically designed to stage a Ryder Cup. It will be a wonderful and enjoyable golfing test for the European and United States Teams and will ensure an unprecedented spectator experience with exceptional views from the natural viewing banks overlooking the course that runs along the banks of the beautiful River Usk. Dylan Matthews, Chief Executive of The Celtic Manor Resort, said: "We've had a fantastic response from golfers who have taken the opportunity to be among the first to play this spectacular course, with a number of professionals and experts commenting on how the course is ideally suited to the team match play competition you see in The Ryder Cup. "Having just opened the new clubhouse, too, we are now being inundated with applications to join the Twenty Ten Club. This announcement of 1000 days to go until The Ryder Cup is played in Wales underlines just how close we already are to this massive sporting event, and every one of our Twenty Ten Club members will be guaranteed their place at the heart of the action in 2010." The Ryder Cup enjoys a privileged place in the sporting calendar and is regarded as the third most watched sporting event in the world. Richard Hills, European Tour Ryder Cup Director, said: "It seems like a long time away. In truth it is not. Wales and The Celtic Manor Resort are now counting the days down to The 2010 Ryder Cup, and we will be supporting them every step of the way. At the end of May, The Celtic Manor Wales Open will for the first time be played on the Twenty Ten course - designed to host The Ryder Cup and European Tour competition. It will be a fascinating week that will provide further impetus to the build-up to 2010."Ian Woosnam, the successful 2006 Ryder Cup Captain and Ambassador of Welsh golf, is excited by the opportunities The Ryder Cup is presenting for Wales: He said: "The announcement that The Ryder Cup is coming our way has done wonders for golf in Wales. The successful bid to host The Ryder Cup in Wales has already made an impact on the number and standard of golfers within Wales and the popularity of the sport will continue to grow as we approach 2010."