The organisers of Wales’’s flagship golf event are gearing up for 2004 after the record-breaking success of this year’’s tournament.
The 2004 Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open will be held in the same prime slot on The European Tour schedule (June 3-6) with officials aiming to attract even more people to enjoy a world-class sporting occasion.
The 2003 tournament, which was won by Ian Poulter of England, saw increases in hospitality bookings of 43 per cent and spectator numbers of 11 per cent. Altogether, 40,481 people attended over four days, including more than 2,500 corporate guests in the Gold Pavilion overlooking the 18th green.
The Event Report, which has just been published, reveals that the tournament also enjoyed massive global television exposure, with live coverage reaching 144 million households and sports news reports going to broadcasters with 882 million viewers.
“We’’re very pleased to have an excellent slot on the schedule again and have started planning early for 2004,” said Andy Stanton, Tournament Chairman. “We are already selling the hospitality packages, with companies who booked in 2003 enjoying a special loyalty rate and new clients being given discounts for early bookings. The Gold Pavilion was actually full to capacity on the Friday and Sunday of this year’’s event – so we’’re not exaggerating when we say ‘book now to avoid disappointment’’.
“The Wales Open is one of the largest and most successful corporate hospitality events in the region. It gives companies a superb environment for business entertaining – and is, at the same time, a vital income stream without which the tournament could not offer one of the largest prize funds on the Tour.”
The ‘early bird’’ prices, on bookings before January 31, 2004, are £245 for Gold Pavilion Hospitality and £135 for Clubhouse Hospitality. Both are per person per day (plus VAT) with a discount of 10 per cent on tables of ten. Telephone bookings on 01633 410 216.
Ticket prices have also been finalised. Early bird rates are: adults - £15 per day, £30 for a four-day season ticket; seniors - £8 per day, £15 season. These rates apply on bookings made before March 31, 2004, after which they rise to: adults – £20 per day, £40 season; seniors - £10 per day, £20 season. Parking is free, and children under 16 will also be admitted free if accompanied by an adult. The telephone booking line is 01633 410 318.
Mr Stanton added: “Over the coming months, we will announce further details of tournament arrangements, including ticket prices, sponsors and player entries. Our plan is to continue to build the event until it becomes the best on the Tour.”
