Slaley Hall launches Ryder Cup bid

thisissouthwales.co.uk, 1 November 2000

A multi-million pound bid to bring golf's most prestigious competition to the North-East has been launched.

Prime Minister Tony Blair has given his support to the £44 million attempt to bring the 2009 Ryder Cup to Slaley Hall, in Northumberland.

Regional development company One NorthEast is underwriting the bid with £24 million and a further £20 million is available from the private and public sectors.

Slaley Hall will face fierce competition to hold what is thought to be the world's third biggest sporting occasion.

Carnoustie in Scotland and Celtic Manor in Wales are also in the running, with the the winner to be announced next September.

Mr Blair said: "As a North-East MP, I am well aware of the importance of sport to the people in the area.

"Thousands participate in a wide variety of sports, on a regular basis, and the organisation committee can be assured of tremendous local support should the competition come to the region.

"I eagerly look forward to joining the people at this great sporting occasion." Dr John Bridge, chairman of One NorthEast said: "Sport is the stuff of legend in the North East. We are competing with the very best in football and athletics, but not golf.

"Here we have a chance to change all that."