Park chiefs back tournament bid

Nick Parry, South Wales Evening Post, 11 January 2001

Coastal Park chiefs in Llanelli have given their full support to the Welsh bid to stage golf's Ryder Cup in 2009.

With the development of the multi-million pound Jack Nicklaus golf course at Machynys, they believe Carmarthenshire will be uniquely placed to capitalise on the tournament.

The bi-annual event, contested between two teams made up of the best golfers in Europe and America, is played in front of huge crowds from both sides of the Atlantic.

This week Assembly First Secretary Rhodri Morgan unveiled plans to stage the prestigious tournament at Newport's Celtic Manor resort in eight years time.

"What it would do is open up huge benefits for golf tourism," said Mr Morgan.

"In the same way they now look at Scotland and Ireland and parts of England, visitors from America and Europe would take a real interest in the golf package we can offer the length and breadth of Wales."

Coastal Park project director Gerry Phillips says Llanelli would benefit more than most.

American golf legend Nicklaus is behind the 18-hole links being developed at Machynys. It is his first course in Wales.

Mr Phillips said: "We are fully supportive of the bid to bring the Ryder Cup to Wales.

"We would seek to make the most of it as we would have a top line course waiting here — we would make sure we played our part.

"There are many good links courses in this part of the world but I'm sure that many visitors, particularly Americans, would seek out the Nicklaus course."

He added it would be a huge a boost for tourism in Carmarthenshire.

A decision on the chosen course is expected early next month.