After nearly three years in the planning, construction work has this week started on The Ryder Cup Course at The Celtic Manor Resort, the first course specifically designed to host the event.
The new course, the work of European Golf Design, will measure 7,516 yards, and be a par 72. It will contain nine holes from the existing Wentwood Hills golf course and nine new holes.
The new holes cover more than 120 acres of land with the practice ground, practice greens and 6 holes on flat land between Bulmore Road and the River Usk and three holes on the south side of the road playing along the lower slopes of the valley.
Construction will necessitate the movement of some 428,000 m³ of earth and require 30km of drainpipe and 7km of pathways (including paths for spectators and tented villages).
The design is focused upon providing crowds of over 50,000 people with the ability to see the maximum amount of action possible. At each of the 16th, 17th and 18th holes spectators will be able to see the action as it unfolds on the remainder of the course.
Congestion will be dramatically reduced from previous Ryder Cup events. Because the course will only feature one fairway crossing spectators will be able to move freely around the entire course without affecting play.
European Golf Design www.egd.com
Celtic Manor Resort www.celtic-manor.com
Construction start for 2010 Ryder Cup course
