Welcome to Celtic Manor, Wales - 2010 Ryder Cup

In the end it came down to a decision between Scotland and Wales. The Scots staked a great claim - Scotland is after all the home of golf and they have only ever hosted one Ryder Cup, way back in 1973. The Welsh on the other hand were offering a brand new golf course with none of the history and grandeur of their Scottish rivals. Crucially however the Celtic Manor bid was backed by Sir Terry Matthews, a self made billionaire and dedicated golfer.

The decision went to Wales and I have to say I'm chuffed! I'm sitting here writing this article from Cardiff, the capitol of Wales and I still can't believe we've got it. Talk of Wales hosting golf's most prestigious team event would have been met with more than a few raised eyebrows 10 years ago. It is a true testament to the vision of Sir Matthews that the Ryder Cup is on it's way to Newport's Celtic Manor resort.

Scottish voices had been raised over concerns of an 'unfair' bidding process but at the end of the day they have been handed the 2014 event which is one hell of a consolation prize. Showing their frustration, The Scotsman published a cartoon picturing a Welsh dragon, his pockets stuffed with cash, striking a Scottish thistle from a tee peg! It is a fact that money talks in today's sporting world - huge amounts are invested in securing large sporting events. Many people are perhaps surprised that the best funded bid should have come from Wales, after all we are certainly not the most affluent area of the UK. Sir Matthews is probably the only person in Wales who could have staged such an audacious bid and we are all mightily proud of him for doing so. He was born at the original Celtic Manor nursing home some 58 years ago - the ultimate local boy done good story!

Celtic Manor is the jewel in the crown of Welsh golf - you can't fail to be impressed by the sheer size of it. As you travel along the M4 motorway the huge, almost fortress like resort appears high up on the hillside. The red dragon on the Welsh flag proudly guards the hotel complex and golf courses that lie behind it.

The Wentworth Hills course which will stage the Ryder Cup matches is simply breathtaking. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr it combines hilly landscapes with links-like features in the Usk River Valley. As a result of the hilly terrain it is a venue that provides excellent viewing for spectators. The course as it stands is to have seven new holes put in place to satisfy the Ryder Cup requirements. These changes are expected to be made in time for the 2004 Wales Open - an event which is set to become one of the biggest on the European calender.

There should be no doubt that Celtic Manor was the worthy winner of the 2010 Ryder Cup. It will provide a unique backdrop to a superb contest between the finest golfers from either side of the Atlantic.

As I finish it is approximately 7:00pm on Sunday 30th September 2001 - Sergio Garcia or perhaps Tiger Woods should now be standing over a put to win the Ryder Cup. Unfortunately due to the horrific events of earlier this month, golf has rightly taken a back seat and the event won't be played until next year.

Looking out the window it is pouring with rain and the wind is blowing up. Unfortunately such weather is not uncommon at this time of the year in South Wales. I just hope that 9 years from now the sun will be shining down on Celtic Manor - it will be...trust me!