Wales Ready for Debut

The stage is set on the first golf course built specifically for the Ryder Cup.  Opened for play in July 2007, the Twenty Ten course is a modern day coliseum, ready to host the grand event on October 1-3 in South Wales as the entire world waits. 

Captains Corey Pavin and Colin Montgomerie will lead their respective 12-men teams representing the USA and Europe for the much-anticipated biennial Ryder Cup matches.  With the recent successes of Graeme McDowell and his teammates at the US Open and the Celtic Manor Wales Open, Europe has high hopes to take back the cup.  

Wales has been preparing for the 2010 Ryder Cup from the day Celtic Manor was selected over locations in Scotland and England, bringing the contest to Wales for the first time.  The Resort is a 1400-acre five star luxury property just two hours from London with hotel, spa and three golf courses.  It has invested $26 million to build Twenty Ten, the clubhouse and surrounding infrastructure. 

Celtic Manor is not alone; enthusiasm has contagiously spread throughout Wales.  The entire country bears witness to a preparation fit to welcome a worldwide audience and set the scene for the international rivalry, ongoing since 1927.  Area golf clubs, hotels, highways have been spruced up, added to or built anew to accommodate and make comfortable thousands of guests who will come before, during and after to experience the warm hospitality, explore the countryside and villages or play golf on courses in settings uniquely Wales. 

Visit Wales and Visit Britain have joined the mobilization effort to showcase the country and are ready for an invasion of golf enthusiasts.  Every golf club in Wales was offered the opportunity to make improvements, refurbish or restore their buildings, roadways and courses with 85% of the cost being footed by the government.  Not all elected to participate–no surprise in a place where independence and pride combine to make this a charming destination, a haven for historic and authentic pure culture, genuine people and natural golf. 

The country of almost three million people and more than ten million sheep is as old as time, yet as young and modern as 2010.   Wales has maintained its rich cultural heritage and lifestyle by blending a work ethic, proud tradition and keen sense of the land as it has evolved into a contemporary society.   A few noted natives who exemplify this quality legacy are Ian Woosnam, Dylan Thomas, Anthony Hopkins, Richard Burton, Christian Bale, Roald Dahl, Laura Ashley, and Catherine Zeta–Jones.

Wales, a peninsular nation, is part of the sovereign state of the UK-United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.  It borders England to the east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea on its other three sides.  In the south, not far from Celtic Manor Resort, is the capital and largest city, Cardiff, where a population of 300,000 enjoys a commercially active community.  Most of the country’s people reside in the northern and southern regions; central Wales is sparsely populated.

The country’s topography is diverse.  It is mountainous with a rocky, jagged coastline, numerous bays and islands. Cultivated and crop-free land accounts for 4% of the country, grasses and grazing 73%, woodland 13%, while urban development takes up only 10%.

Coal mining has been the primary economic activity in Wales since the 1600’s.  It has greatly influenced society, lifestyle and a way of life for generations, is still significant and one of the principal areas of employment.  Although heavy industry has been an important part of the Welsh economy and has deeply impacted society the country still utilizes 80 percent of the land for agriculture.  Livestock–cattle and sheep–is more vital than crop farming.  In recent years, many foreign consumer product companies have opened factories and offices in Wales, offering alternative jobs and support to economic growth.

The story of golf in Wales is equally as ancient and mature as it is fresh and new.  The 2010 Ryder Cup spotlight will surely bring attention to this small country as a tourist destination rich in golf, history, culture and wholesome hardworking people, customs and a multiplicity of interesting places and landscape.

Golf in South Wales 

Celtic Manor Resort; Twenty Ten Course

European Golf Design built on nine extensively remodeled holes (six through thirteen and fifteen) of the Robert Trent Jones II 1999 design of Wentwood Hills Golf Course, then added nine new holes (one through five, fourteen and sixteen through eighteen) down the Usk Valley to create the par 71-7,493 yard Twenty Ten Ryder Cup venue.  It features six signature holes (the third, fifth, sixth, fourteenth, fifteenth and eighteenth), each with a prominent water hazard and accompanying risk-and-reward alternatives. 

Roman Road Course

The first of the Resort’s courses, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., opened in 1995.  The name derives from a network of Roman roads interlacing the layout. It was fashioned to preserve the archaeological remains. Overlooking the Severn River Estuary with delightful views of the valley and nearby towns, the 6,685-yard, par 70 presents undulating terrain.  Accurate drives and shot-making are required to keep out of verdant rough, trees lining the fairways, significant well-placed bunkers and to hold on slippery greens. 

Montgomerie Course

Designed by European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie, the par 69-course measures 6,371 yards from the tips. The front nine incorporates the starting and closing holes of the old Wentwood Hills course.  All holes on the back nine have been built on land that was formerly the 18-hole Coldra Woods academy course. 

Montgomerie’s traditional design style is evidenced throughout with deep pot bunkers, creating a links appearance and feel.  There are some dramatic views over valleys and downhill fairways. 

The region offers a number of premier, historic layouts that are delightful to play and experience. Ashburnham (1894), Pennard (1896), Royal Porthcawl (1891), Southerndown (1905), Tenby (1888) are set along the sea, occupying wind blown shores while hugging rolling hills and meadows shared with sheep and cows.  There is a free drop for any ball in a plop, but Lift, Clean and Place is not in play.  

Those in South Wales to preview the Ryder Cup Twenty Ten course should be sure to visit nearby towns or historical sites and mingle with the people, a friendly and hospitable lot.  Some area highlights are Caerleon, Tintern Abbey, Chepstow, Tredegar and Newport.  Taste local favorites, tip a pint or two and try Penderyn–Welsh Gold (Aur Cymru)–the first commercial single malt whiskey made in Wales since the 19th century.  

The evolution of Wales appears to have reached a new plateau.  Hosting the Ryder Cup for the first time demonstrates how far it has come.  There has been great golf here for a long time, but the limelight and attention has instead focused on Scotland, England and Ireland.  

“This sea-town was my world; outside a strange Wales coal-pitted, mountained, river-run, full, so far as I knew, of choirs and football teams and sheep and storybook tall hats and red flannel petticoats, moved about its business…” Dylan Thomas, Welsh lyric poet.  

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