The Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open is set to be even bigger and better next year with a new date, £250,000 more prize money – up by a third – and wider sponsorship opportunities.
The inaugural event in June was televised internationally, attracted more than 40,000 spectators and saw Denmark’’s Steen Tinning beat a strong field to win the top prize of £125,000. Among the big names taking part were Seve Ballesteros, David Howell, Mark James, Sandy Lyle, Phillip Price, Sam Torrance and Ian Woosnam.
In 2001 the Tournament will be held from August 9-12, with the purse increasing from £750,000 to £1m. While the Celtic Manor Resort retains the title sponsorship, there are four other sponsorship categories each with extensive marketing benefits.
The combination of a bigger prize fund and a prime date just before the European Team for the 2001 Ryder Cup is finalised looks certain to attract an even stronger line up of players.
“With ten of the Ryder Cup selections based on Tour earnings, The Wales Open is likely to decide the fate of a number of key players,” said Tournament Chairman Andy Stanton. “We’’re expecting it to be very competitive, providing a great platform for many of the top names to stake their claim for a Ryder Cup place.
“It’’s clearly a much better date for attracting big names, and it has the added advantage of being in the school holidays. This year, many local youngsters volunteered to be Marshalls in the evenings and over the weekend. In 2001, they’’ll be able to enjoy the entire event.”
Confirmation of the new date allocated by the Tour came as Wales Open organisers were finalising a range of sponsorship opportunities for the event. The packages are the new category of co-presenter at £150,000, partners at £50,000 and suppliers at two levels: £10,000 and £25,000.
Benefits for co-presenters include extensive on and off course signage, up to three teams in the Pro-Am, 40 Gold Pavilion hospitality packages per day, 30 VIP Gala Dinner tickets, 250 complimentary day passes, a suite in the resort’’s hotel during the event and 100 rounds on the Wentwood Hills Tournament course. All sponsors receive publicity in event literature, including the programme and daily draw sheet.
“The Wales Open is an excellent way for companies to promote their brand nationally and internationally,” said Andy Stanton. “The inaugural event had six official partners and 50 suppliers. We’’re looking forward to them all being involved again and also to welcoming more sponsors who recognise this as a superb marketing opportunity.”
The Celtic Manor Resort, recently awarded five star status by the Automobile Association, has been developed by Welsh telecommunications entrepreneur Terry Matthews in 1400 acres of spectacular countryside overlooking the Severn estuary and the Usk valley. At £100m, it is the largest ever private investment in the British hospitality industry. The resort offers a 400 room, 32 suite luxury hotel, 1500 delegate convention centre, 40 function rooms, 4 restaurants, 2 outstanding health clubs and spa and 3 championship courses.
The resort is Wales’’s official candidate venue for the 2009 Ryder Cup. Earlier this month, it was announced that Tony Lewis, the former international cricketer and Chairman of the Wales Tourist Board, had been appointed to lead the drive to bring golf’’s top team event to his home country for the first time.
Wentwood Hills opened in May 1999 with an exhibition match between Europe’’s then Ryder Cup captain Mark James and former US Masters champion Ian Woosnam. The resort has two other Trent Jones designed courses: the 6,685 yard par 69 Roman Road, ranked top inland course in Wales by Golf Monthly, and the 4,001 yards par 59 Coldra Woods, a PGA Short Course Championship venue. The Golf facilities also include a luxury Clubhouse, opened in 1995, and a Golf School with comprehensive coaching and practice facilities.
