ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE 2010 RYDER CUP VENUE

* 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."