Success

• The Twenty-Ten Course hosted one of the most exciting Ryder Cup matches ever staged, a testimony to the vision of owner Sir Terry Matthews ambition to bring the event to Wales, and enhancing the resort’s global reputation.
• The course staged three successful Celtic Manor Wales Opens on the European Tour prior to the 2010 Ryder Cup.

The Brief

• To design a golf course capable of staging the 2010 Ryder Cup matches.
• The course should challenge the world’s greatest players, provide exciting and spectacular golf and also deal with the particular logistical and commercial requirements of hosting a Ryder Cup.

• The golf course design had to incorporate all the elements needed to stage a major sports event. This included space for tented villages, hospitality units and all media and television requirements, as well as good spectator viewing points.
• It should also satisfy client requirements for event management and day to day play, as well as the needs of the European Tour and other statutory and non-statutory bodies.
• The site has a known Roman heritage and an archaeological survey would be on-going throughout the construction works.
• Set within the River Usk Valley the site has environmental importance, both locally and nationally. Otters, dormice and badgers are present on, or around, the property.
• Because of suitable land availability parts of the existing Wentwood Hills Course will need to be included.

The Solutions

• Nine holes from the Wentwood Hill Course were retained, re-bunkered and incorporated into the new Twenty Ten Course.
• The nine new holes incorporated a selection of risk and reward opportunities ideal for matchplay. A dramatic sequence of finishing holes was created.
• A vast flat area for hospitality platforms was constructed running the length of the final three holes. The slopes below these platforms offered superb spectator viewing.
• Low lying areas were raised on average by 1.5 metres to facilitate surface drainage and to lift the course out of the flood plane. The flood control measures also included a high bund adjacent to the river.
• Careful analysis of earth movement quantities was required during each design phase to ensure that there was an accurate balance between cut and fill materials at all times.
• During construction the golf course design was continually adapted to ensure there was no damage to sites of historical value.
• Planting corridors and protection buffer zones were included to protect the ecology of the site. Biodiversity was improved by incorporating a variety of vegetation types and including new streams, wetlands and planted areas.

Course Stats

• Client: Sir Terry Matthews
• Course: 18 Holes
• Length: 7493 metres, Par: 72

Contact Details

The Celtic Manor Resort
Coldra Woods, The Usk Valley,
Newport, South Wales, NP18 1HQ
T: +44 (0)1633 413 000
F: +44 (0)1633 412 910
E: postbox@celtic-manor.com
W: www.celtic-manor.com