PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS RECEIVE FINANCIAL BOOST FROM WALES RYDER CUP 2009 BID COMMITTEE

The PGA OF Wales announced today the aubstantial financial investment that they have received from the Wales Ryder Cup 2009 Bid Committee to support the professional game in Wales.

The £75,000 funding – which has been committed annually for the next three years – has made it possible for the PGA of Wales to invest in a number of events throughout Wales. These include the Welsh Professional Championship at Ashburnham GC, the Welsh Seniors Championship at Ashburnham GC; the Mastercard Event at Royal St Davids GC, the Rhondda Classic at Rhondda GC and the Suzuki Welsh Masters at St Pierre GC.

In addition the funds will support the Welsh team when they defend their title in the European Championships.

The results of the Welsh Professional Championship, The Rhondda Classic and The Suzuki Masters will all count towards the Welsh Order of Merit, from which this year’s Welsh Team will be selected.

Ray Ellis, Secretary of the PGA of Wales, commented:

"We are delighted that the Welsh Ryder Cup Bid Committee are supporting the PGA. We are certain that our members will benefit significantly from the support and it will enhance the competition and standard of play seen in Wales. We are particularly thrilled that this excellent support from the Welsh Ryder Cup Bid Committee is for a minimum three-year period, showing an outstanding commitment to golf ".

The development programme for golf in Wales is the main pillar of the Ryder Cup bid. Hosting a Ryder Cup grants Wales an unprecedented opportunity to raise the standard and awareness of the golf facilities in Wales.

Chairman of the PGA of Wales, John Barnett, said of the announcement:

"With financial support and help from the Ryder Cup Committee, we are able to ensure that Wales will be internationally recognised as a major golfing nation, both professionally and through the amateur ranks".

Welsh PGA Events 2001

25-28^th June - Rhondda Welsh Classic (Rhondda G.C.)

30^th July-2^nd August - Suzuki Welsh Masters (St Pierre G.C.)

1-3^rd August - Mastercard Event (Royal St Davids G.C.)

10-13^th September - Welsh Professional & Seniors Championship (Ashburnham G. C.)

Notes

The Wales Ryder Cup bid committee is a partnership led by the National Assembly for Wales with participation from the Welsh Development Agency, the Wales

Tourist Board, Sports Council for Wales, the Welsh Golfing Union, the Welsh Ladies’ Golf Union, Newport County Borough Council and The Celtic Manor Resort.

Wales’ official candidate venue is The Celtic Manor Resort, which already stages and sponsors The Wales Open. Situated on the M4, just five minutes from the Severn Bridge, the resort offers a 400 room, five star hotel, 40 function rooms, a 1500 delegate convention centre, 4 restaurants, 2 health clubs, superb practice and player facilities, and three Trent Jones golf courses, including the par 72 Wentwood Hills.

In the Assembly, the bid has enjoyed the support of all four political parties. MPs, local authorities throughout Wales and a wide range of celebrities have all supported the bid.

Strong backing for the bid has come from all the leading Welsh players including Ian Woosnam, Phil Price, David Park, Becky Brewerton, Becky Morgan and Eleanor Pilgrim. Brian Huggett, a veteran of seven Ryder Cups, is also a member of the bid committee.