Golf: No time to lose for 2010 Cup

The man mainly responsible for bringing the Ryder Cup to Wales for the first time has issued a timely reminder that while the match may be nine years away, there is not a moment to waste.

Celtic Manor owner Sir Terry Matthews, Wales’ only billionaire, said: ‘‘The plans have been set; our sleeves are rolled up the work begins now.’’

If all those plans go to script, the golfing landscape will change not only at the lavish Newport course which will host the tournament - work starts next month on seven new holes - but right across the Welsh countryside.

First Minister Rhodri Morgan, describing the European Ryder Cup Board’s decision as ‘‘fantastic news,’’ added: ‘‘This will not only put us on the sporting map but will also help secure more top-quality inward investment, besides increased numbers of visitors to Wales.

‘‘We will ensure that the whole of Wales benefits from this.’’

Philip Evans, chairman of the Wales Tourist Board, added: ‘‘This is one of the biggest boosts to Wales’ reputation as an international sporting destination and also as a first-choice nation for high-profile events.

‘‘Attracting icon events to Wales is critical if we are to raise the country’s profile and essential if we are to develop the country as a high-quality tourism destination.

‘‘The exciting aspect is that all sectors of the tourism industry, from the largest hotel to the smallest guest house, will get a huge commercial boost.’’

Sir David Rowe-Beddoe, chairman of the Welsh Development Agency, added: ‘‘The direct and indirect benefits arising from this successful bid will be worth millions of advertising and marketing pounds.

‘‘We could not have a better opportunity to raise the profile of Wales globally.

‘‘We intend to capitalise on the intense media interest and use it to endorse and promote one of our key messages to audiences around the world that Wales is world-class.

‘‘The Ryder Cup is the most talked about, most written about and most televised event in golf. While this decision is good for Wales, for business and tourism, it is excellent news for the future development of the game in our country.’’

Chairman of the campaign team which beat off competition from four Scottish courses - Gleneagles, Carnoustie, Loch Lomond and Turnberry - and also Slaley Hall in the north-east was former England cricket captain Tony Lewis.

‘‘I believe we gave the Ryder Cup Board the opportunity to place a new, vibrant piece in the jigsaw of European golf,’’ he said.

‘‘I hope the self-confidence of the people of Wales soars. Winning this bid will assist the National Assembly and its agencies in their work, to enhance perceptions of Wales, make it an even more suitable destination for inward investment, for tourism and the game of golf itself.’’

Unhappiness in Scotland at losing out this time was only partly appeased by the simultaneous announcement that Gleneagles will play hosts in 2014.

It was not enough to silence at least one Conservative member of the Scottish Assembly who questioned the transparency of a bidding process and in effect wondered whether the Ryder Cup had merely gone to the highest bidder.

The accusation is that the decision was tantamount to a fait accompli once Ken Schofield, the European tour’s executive director, had indicated support for Celtic Manor back in May - before the Scottish courses had even presented their bids and before a lot of the money putting those bids together had been spent.

Even Sandy Jones, chief executive of the Professional Golfers’ Association, still calls Schofield’s remarks an ‘‘outburst’’ and maintains they were premature and that the bids were all given an even chance to win the day.

Jones was also at pains to stress that the eventual decision was unanimous and that there had been no division between the tour and the PGA caused by Schofield’s words.

The PGA has also accepted a new structure of the cup board which sees the tour becoming the managing partner and the incorporation of the PGA of Europe.

This reduces the PGA’s shareholding from its previous 50%. But with the match making so much money now - next year’s re-arranged tournament is expected to bring a profit in excess of £10m - there should be benefits for all sides.

Continental Europe might have been unhappy about having to wait until 2018 to play host for the second time, but their concerns have been addressed too by the decision to give them not only that match but also the ones in 2022, 2026 and 2030.

The taking of the contest to Valderrama in 1997 did not bring the hoped-for spin-offs for golf in Spain.

But the likes of the K Club in Ireland in 2005 - to see what they can learn before throwing their hats into the ring.

The beaten clubs, meanwhile, have been left to reflect on their efforts.

Brendan Foster, on behalf of the Slaley Hall bid, said: ‘‘We believe that the health of the sport in the region has been well-served by our being involved in a north-east bid.’’

Lyle Anderson, president of Loch Lomond, commented: ‘‘The bidding process has been beneficial to us as we continue to focus.’’