After all the controversy surrounding the Ryder Cup, its postponement because of terrorist attacks on the US and the destination for future matches, it has finally been confirmed that Wales will stage the matches for the first time in 2010.
Scotland missed out this time but the Cup committee announced this afternoon that it will go north of the border to Gleneagles in 2014.
The decision to award the 2010 match to Celtic Manor - and to a course which is not even built in its entirety yet - was announced at Wentworth.
The multi-million pound complex at The Celtic Manor beat the Scottish quartet of Gleneagles, Turnberry, Carnoustie and Loch Lomond and also Slaley Hall near Newcastle, the outsiders in the race to stage the multi-million pound event.
Tony Lewis, Chairman of the Wales Ryder Cup bid said:
"I am thrilled that our bid has won the confidence of the Ryder Cup Board. We stick to our campaign slogan that a Ryder Cup staged in Wales will be 'Good for Wales: Great for Golf'.
"For Wales it is wonderful news. Team Wales was terrific. The whole of the country was behind the bid and I believe we gave the Ryder Cup Board the
opportunity to place a new, vibrant piece in the jigsaw of European golf.
"Today's decision reveals Wales as a country of vision and determination and I would congratulate the team members - the National Assembly, the Golf
Unions, the Sports Council for Wales, the Wales Tourist Board, the Welsh Development Agency, Newport County Borough Council, the Welsh Local
Government Association, Celtic Manor and the World Sport Group, who steered us with highly professional advice. Thanks also to the one co-opted member
of the team, Brian Huggett, our former Ryder Cup captain.
"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 for the game of golf itself. Today I hope the self-confidence of the people of Wales soars. They can be proud of their bid.
"We would not be celebrating a victory, however, 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. Nor could
we have developed our bid without the cross-party support of our politicians in the National Assembly led by our First Minister, Rhodri Morgan and backed
by the Minister for Sport Jenny Randerson.
"We believe that bringing the Ryder Cup to Wales will have a positive impact on the game of golf. The decision is the beginning not the end. We have more
scope for golf development than our bidding rivals: there is a great deal of work to be done with new money, new tournaments and a golf strategy which is
already on the move."
First Minister for Wales, Rhodri Morgan added: "This is fantastic news. We can build on this to secure a step change in Wales' international profile. We will ensure that the whole of Wales will benefit from this."
Said Sir Terry Matthews, owner of Celtic Manor Resort: "This is a great moment for Wales and The Celtic Manor Resort - and a huge opportunity for golf. This decision brings a new dimension to the sport by
adding another nation into the golfing premier league.
"The plans have been set, our sleeves are rolled up, the work begins now!"
