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Historic partnership between Mission Hills and Celtic Manor announced

The Celtic Manor Resort, venue for the Ryder Cup in 2010 and Mission Hills Golf Club, China, affirmed by the Guinness World Records™ as the world's largest golf complex, have announced a reciprocal membership arrangement that will provide benefits for the members of both clubs.

This inaugural agreement is the first reciprocal relationship for golf clubs in the UK and China, reflecting their shared objectives of providing added value for their members, as well as promoting friendship and fraternity through the game of golf on an international level.

Members of both clubs will be able to utilise the facilities of the other in order to broaden their choice of courses and golfing environments. Members of The Celtic Manor Resort will, from now on, be able to play any of the ten 18-hole courses situated at Mission Hills China which have been designed by, amongst others, Nick Faldo, Jack Nicklaus, Vijay Singh, Ernie Els, Annika Sorenstam and Greg Norman.

Likewise, members of Mission Hills China will be able to play on The Celtic Manor Resort's two championship golf courses, Wentwood Hills and Roman Road, as well as the Coldra Woods course, the first 18-hole Academy course in Europe dedicated to tuition. In late 2006, this opportunity will extend to the soon to be completed course upon which the 2010 Ryder Cup will be played.

Sir Terry Matthews, the Chairman of The Celtic Manor Resort said, "It is a great privilege to announce this partnership with Mission Hills Golf Club, China, the largest golfing facility in the world. We are delighted to have reached an agreement that will give our members the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of not only the best golfing facility in our region but also the most complete golfing experience that Asia has to offer. In the future we envisage being able to develop ever closer ties with Mission Hills China and its members through increased collaboration in the spheres of both golf and commerce".

"This reciprocal arrangement marks the first such relationship we have formed in the United Kingdom, and we are honoured that it is with such a prestigious golf club," said Dr David Chu, Chairman, Mission Hills Golf Club, China. "This announcement affirms Mission Hills' ongoing commitment to its members to offer the best golfing experience around the world and promote international goodwill through golf".

The five-star Celtic Manor Resort is set in more than 1,400 acres of panoramic parkland at the gateway to Wales. With 330 rooms, two health clubs, shooting and tennis facilities and the largest hotel spa in Europe, The Celtic Manor Resort provides a complete resort experience for the individual business, leisure and golf travellers. Celtic Manor Resort is the home of The Celtic Manor Wales Open, one of the premier events on the European Tour. Host venue to the 2010 Ryder Cup, The Celtic Manor Resort finds Mission Hills China the perfect reciprocal partner. Being one of the founders of The Dynasty Cup - a Ryder Cup style shootout between Asia and Japan, Mission Hills China hosted the first two editions of the tournament. The third Dynasty Cup will once again return to Mission Hills China in 2007.

Mission Hills China, located just 30 minutes from the Hong Kong border was founded in 1994 and boasts ten unique 18-hole courses designed by international golf stars from 5 continents, including the most difficult golf course in Asia, designed by Greg Norman, Jack Nicklaus, Vijay Singh, Annika Sorenstam, Ernie Els, Jose Marie Olazabal, Nick Faldo, David Duval, renowned golf instructor David Leadbetter and Jumbo Ozaki have also designed courses at Mission Hills China . Members have access to this US$400 million investment resort with 315 luxiouriously appointed rooms, spa, tennis and other recreational facilities.

June 2, 2005