Golf Live’s switch to The Celtic Manor Resort with the addition of the first-ever Celebrity Cup tournament has been hailed as an overwhelming success by tournament organisers and exhibitors.
Thousands of golf fans and celebrity spotters flocked to Celtic Manor, the venue for The 2010 Ryder Cup, to enjoy Britain’s ultimate golf and lifestyle weekend.
In all 12,453 visitors streamed through the gates over the three days with more than 5,000 attending on Saturday to see Britain’s most popular TV presenters, Ant and Dec, join European Tour legend Colin Montgomerie for fun-filled skills challenges.
Event Director James Goode said: “The weekend was a massive success. This is the first time we have staged Golf Live outside London and Celtic Manor proved to be the perfect venue.
“There was a real buzz running through the event from the grandstand and the main theatre, which also overlooked the final hole on The Celebrity Cup Course, to the impressive main pavilion of exhibitors and the driving range packed with all of the leading names in golfequipment.
“Adding The Celebrity Cup to Golf Live added a whole new dimension to the event and the competitors and spectators all told us how much they enjoyed the tournament.”
The Celebrity Cup was won by Scotland whose lower handicaps and sporting competitiveness just prevailed over Sir Steve Redgrave’s England team, thanks to Jamie Murray’s accuracy in a dramatic, nearest the pin play-off in the final. Wales, led with gusto by funnyman Rob Brydon, beat Ireland to claim third place.
As well as the Celebrity Cup, Golf Live featured all the interactive theatres that have made it such a popular and innovative show since its inception in 2010. Tour stars Colin Montgomerie, Shane Lowry and SorenKjeldsen gave entertaining and informative masterclasses in front of a packed grandstand on the final green and, over at the driving range, Paul Barrington’s trick shots and Joe Miller’s power hitting were big crowd pullers.
Also to be found on the range were the biggest brands in world golf, giving the golfing public a unique opportunity to try the latest equipment and be custom-fitted according to their own individual needs.
Jonathan Dowdell, Titleist Golf Ball Product & Marketing Manager, EMEA, said: “Titleist was, once again, delighted to be a part of Golf Live. As the #1 ball in golf, for our team of Golf Ball Fitters to have the opportunity to converse with consumers on the importance of the golf ball and to ensure they went away more educated on the piece of equipment they use on every shot was, we believe, invaluable.”
A large main pavilion featured a host of exhibitors including golf resorts and destinations, the latest gadgets, golf accessories, clothing and merchandise.
Keith Mitchell, Marketing Director of Golfbreaks.com, said: “We’ve been involved with Golf Live since the very beginning and this year was yet another excellent event. As one of the most iconic and impressive venues in the UK, Celtic Manor made a wonderful setting and provided the perfect location for us to engage with golfers visiting the show.”
Celtic Manor Resort Chief Executive Dylan Matthews said: “We thoroughly enjoyed hosting Golf Live and The Celebrity Cup. We liked the fact that it had something for everyone. Serious golfers could pick up some fantastic instruction tips and buy the latest clubs while other visitorsmade it their priority to see Ant and Dec and the other stars.
“We’d like to thank all the players who took part in the first Celebrity Cup, delighting the crowds with their humour as well as their golf, and helping raise £65,000 for the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation with their generous donations to the auction at the gala dinner.”
Golf Live www.golfliveevent.com