· Statement from Tony Lewis, Chairman of the Wales Ryder Cup Bid
“I am thrilled that our bid, now for the 2010 Ryder Cup, 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.
Wales looks forward to welcoming the world to a great Ryder Cup in 2010”
· Statement from the First Minister for Wales, Rhodri Morgan,
“This is fantastic news. My Sports Minister Jenny Randerson joins me in
saying how delighted we are that the Ryder Cup Board has recognised the very significant
benefits that awarding us the 2010 event will bring not only for golf, but also
for the whole of Wales. Over the next 9 years or so and beyond, key members of
Team Wales, such as the Assembly, the Welsh Development Agency, the Wales Tourist
Board and the Sports Council for Wales can build on this to secure a step change
in Wales’ international profile. 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 will benefit
from this.
The success of our Bid will also enable the local authorities in Wales to enhance
their plans for development in their areas and The Sports Council for Wales, in
conjunction with the golfing bodies, can continue and enhance their golf development
programmes.
I should like to thank Tony Lewis for his absolutely brilliant stewardship
of Wales’ Bid. I have to say that all the `Wales Team’ members worked
extremely hard to produce a robust and decisive Bid. Finally, I must pay tribute
to Sir Terry Matthews and the Celtic Manor Resort. Without his vision and support,
Wales’ bid would never have got onto the first tee. I would like to join
Tony Lewis and the Team Wales members, in offering our best wishes to both Scotland
and the North East of England for the future.”
· Statement from Sir Terry Matthews, owner of Celtic Manor Resort,
“We’ve won the 2010 Ryder Cup! Well done Wales.
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.
We were partners in a professional bid as part of a very competitive tendering
process. We will live up to the confidence shown in us by continuing to deliver
on our commitments.
Our win will mean that exciting proposals for golf development, new tournaments
and the further expansion of the world-class facilities at Celtic Manor can be
fully implemented. The plans have been set, our sleeves are rolled up, the work
begins now!”
· Statement from Gareth Davies, Chairman of Sports Council for Wales,
"This is fantastic news for Wales and Welsh sport. Hosting the Ryder Cup
will accelerate the development of golf at every level and allow the Sports Council
for Wales to develop facilities and golfers on a par with the rest of the UK.
It will help us attract more players to the sport, in particular young people,
and to improve performance standards. We have set out a clear development plan
which aims to dispel any images of sexism and élitism and to promote golf
for all."
· Statement from Philip Evans, Chairman of the Wales Tourist Board,
"This is wonderful news for Wales' tourism industry. The benefits of winning
the right to host this prestigious event in 2010 will be far-reaching and fits
beautifully in with our published strategy for tourism growth. 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 Ryder Cup is one of the best known sporting events in the world
and will help to establish Wales firmly on the golfing map. From now up until
2010, we will be working closely with everyone involved to enhance the product
and to ensure that the tournament is one to remember. The exciting aspect is,
that all sectors of the tourism industry, from the largest hotel to the smallest
guesthouse, will get a huge commercial boost. This has been a Team Wales approach
and we are delighted to have been a partner in this. "
· Statement from Sir David Rowe-Beddoe, Chairman of the Welsh Development
Agency,
“It is tremendous news for Wales. 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. Whilst this decision is good for Wales, for business
and tourism, it is excellent news for the future development of the game in our
country.”
