The Celtic Manor Resort submitted a planning application to create seven new holes, completely redesign two holes and construct a new clubhouse. Past criticisms of the Wentwood Hills course will be answered by the announcement, a decision that enables The Celtic Manor Resort to use the £12 million development to complete a layout tailored to the unique requirements of a Ryder Cup.
There will be a practice range on the north side of River Usk connected to the golf course by a bridge for pedestrians and light maintenance vehicles. The bridge will completely span the tidal estuary and have no direct impact on the candidate Special Area of Conservation.
Planning gains in the proposals include the creation of around 60 acres of wildlife habitat and a new 1.35km permissive path for cyclists and pedestrians from the Usk Road to Bulmore via the new bridge.
News of the planning approval was welcomed by the Wales Ryder Cup 2009 Bid Chairman, Tony Lewis. “The new holes have been designed by European Golf Design to provide the most natural and dramatic conclusion to the Wentwood Hills course,” he said. “There is no doubt that this has greatly enhanced the Welsh bid”.
Andy Stanton, project director at Celtic Manor, stated, ” This decision paves the way for the creation of an outstanding international golf course, giving Newport and Wales a venue on a par with the very best in the world. It is good news not only for golfers and golf fans. The development will also bring considerable benefits to the community as a whole by attracting tourism and creating jobs, and by providing access for people who like to walk, run and cycle in the wonderful countryside of the Usk valley”.
Wales Ryder Cup bid www.walesrydercup2009.org
Publisher’s comment:
The announcement to confirm the venue for the 2009 Ryder Cup Matches will be made in September. The short list is Slaley Hall; Carnoustie, Gleneagles, Loch Lomond and Turnberry; and Celtic Manor, respectively representing England, Scotland and Wales.
We invite readers of www.golfbusinessnews.com to say which venue should be chosen and (briefly) to give reasons for their selection. Visit our Forum pages to register your views.