Woosie in Wales to mark Legacy progress

Ian Woosnam, Captain of the winning 2006 European Ryder Cup Team, today (Friday, 3rd October) joined local school children at Caerleon Golf Club to give his support to the development course that has received substantial financial support from the Ryder Cup Wales Legacy Fund.

With one of biggest global sporting events, The 2010 Ryder Cup, set to descend on The Celtic Manor in two years time, the direct benefits from hosting such an event are already being felt and the project at Caerleon is one of a number of similar projects across Wales.

Endorsing the project today, Ian Woosnam commented: “The Ryder Cup coming in 2010 is fantastic for the whole of Wales. It isn’t just about 3 days of golf, it is about giving people at all levels the opportunity to embrace the sport and benefit from it. The Legacy Fund is helping to achieve that goal.”

“Wales has some great Championship courses but we need more facilities specifically designed for beginners and particularly the young. This investment will go a long way to help bridge this gap and will help attract new talent to golf that is essential for us to maintain our current success at international level, Woosnam added.”

Following the successful application, the project was granted funding to the tune of £120,000 which has assisted in the development of the 9-hole par 3 pay and play starter course at Caerleon. It is hoped that the course will further boost local interest in golf, particularly amongst youngsters and beginners.

John Jermine, Chairman of Ryder Cup Wales 2010 Ltd joined “Woosie” at Caerleon today and is thrilled that Wales is taking the lead in providing new facilities, particularly for youngsters, across the region. “We have some wonderful clubs and courses in Wales but need more low cost, and publicly accessible, facilities for new players to the game, especially the boys and girls who are enjoying golf now that it is a “Dragon” sport taught in our Primary schools. Today’s visit was a fantastic opportunity for the local community to meet our own winning Ryder Cup captain.”

The cash injection to Newport City Council is part of a wider £2 million investment provided by the Welsh Assembly Government. The creation of the new development course will be open to every junior wanting to take up the game and will add to the existing course and driving range already available at Caerleon Golf Club.

Stuart Anderson, Chairman of the Management Committee at Caerleon Golf Club, said: “The opening of the starter course will be a fantastic stepping stone in the development of beginners as fully fledged golfers and for developing local talent. This will be achieved by establishing school club links with junior and secondary schools and creating links with other Newport Golf Clubs to ensure that young people have access to appropriate facilities and establishing a programme of coach and volunteer education within the club.”

The Legacy Fund is administered by The Sports Council for Wales and is backed by the European Tour, who awarded the Ryder Cup to Wales, and the Professional Golfers Association, as well as the Golf Union of Wales who represent all the established clubs in Wales.

Mike Hamilton, Newport City Council Cabinet Member for Leisure and Continuing Learning, said: “We are delighted to be working with our partners to produce a new generation of golfers. South Wales boasts a number of excellent golf courses and we are delighted that this new facility will be aimed at encouraging participation amongst young people in Newport and the surrounding area.”

Date: 03/10/08