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By JD Latorre
While it’s a fallacy that coal can be turned into glittering diamonds, it’s nonetheless true that shining stars can blossom from the fertile soil surrounding former Welsh coal country. Case in point, the five glowing stars awarded to Celtic Manor Resort (www.celtic-manor.com) – a luxury destination lauded as the best in the UK and situated less than two hours from London. With pampered service from the wonderfully attentive staff, sterling amenities fit for royalty and world-class golf to boot, Celtic Manor sparkles as brilliantly as the Hope Diamond.
In October 2010, even more stars – those of exceptional golfing variety – will shine at acclaimed Celtic Manor as the opulent retreat will host the best in the game for the Ryder Cup. In the lovely Wales autumn, the U.S. and Europe will clash in the world’s ultimate team tournament. The drama will unfold over 7,493 yards of spectacular tension that is The Twenty Ten Course – the first in history designed solely to host the Ryder Cup.
The Twenty Ten evolves in three acts. The opening features beguiling holes with a links-like ambiance as fairways weave to and fro with bumps and hollows, and level lies as rare as tap-in eagles. Framing the well-manicured fairways are gnarly industrial strength rough and greenside swales to gobble up shots lacking accuracy or authority.
The second act – the middle of the stout eighteen with holes originally laid out by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. – is a study in water management as insidious lakes stand sentinel, threatening the golfer with penalty strokes at every turn. Thankfully, the bucolic setting of the panoramic parkland serves to soothe the mind and nerves.
The final act is a dramatic clash of cymbals as holes 14-18 bare the sharp teeth of Ross McMurray’s course redesign. Two holes will demonstrate classic Ryder Cup match play dilemmas. The 413-yard 14th tests golfers’ mettle: Take on a long carry with a drive down the right hand side of the fairway for a better look at the putting surface? Or choose the safer route and face a sinister lake cutting in off the left with their second?
Crucial Ryder Cup matches might well turn at the driveable par-4 15th, where the aggressive play off the tee requires clearing mature trees. Eagles are a possibility for the brave of heart. Like Augusta National, The Twenty Ten is risk/reward golf with danger and heartbreak facing off against possible glory. It’s the perfect Ryder Cup venue.
As The Twenty Ten was designed solely with the Ryder Cup in mind, spectators will have excellent vantage points to watch the action unfold. Three large viewing platforms were constructed for hospitality above the 16th, 17th and 18th holes. Galleries are also able to gather on the huge natural mounds and hillsides to view not only the drama of the closing holes, but also the earlier action as it plays across the course below. The Resort has invested $26 million to develop the new course, clubhouse (which opened in autumn 2007) and surrounding infrastructure like a pristine Ryder Cup practice ground for the elite of the game (and visitors) to hone their skills.
In addition to The Twenty Ten, Celtic Manor’s 1,400-plus acres of scenic beauty boasts two other championship courses. The Roman Road, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., opened in 1995 as the resort’s first course. Overlooking the Severn Estuary with marvelous views across to Somerset and Devon, Roman Road takes its moniker from the ancient East to West highway of Roman Britain crossing its fairways on the way to the nearby Roman fortress town of Caerleon.
Not to be missed is The Montgomerie, a spectacular par-69 challenge with dramatic tee shots over broad valleys and breathtaking downhill approaches. Course designer and 2010 European Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie has drawn on his Scottish roots to develop an “inland links” golf experience with deep and penal pot bunkers lurking throughout. The Montgomerie offers stunning vistas of the Usk Valley and the Severn Estuary.
Belying its current grandeur, Celtic Manor possesses a humble, but noble pedigree. On trips home to South Wales from Canada, Sir Terry Matthews – the Ottawa, Canada-based entrepreneur and first billionaire from Wales – kept noticing a dilapidated old mansion for sale on a parcel of land resplendent with lovely rolling vistas and wooded hills. Proving that life is indeed a circle, the old manse was the very building where he was born during its former life as a maternity hospital. For a modest investment, Sir Terry bought the land and Celtic Manor’s journey to the pinnacle of UK destination resorts was launched.
Though the golf alone merits a visit to Celtic Manor, the destination Sir Terry created is heralded as the one of the finest in the world. Visitors will discover two lavish hotels – the majestic, 330-room Resort Hotel and historic, 70-room Manor House. Also on the grounds are five savory restaurants, two tranquil spas and state-of-the-art health clubs, a golf academy and miles of hiking trails. A convention center, exhibition hall, array of well-appointed suites, meeting rooms and large ballrooms are also available to host groups up to 1,500 for conferences, weddings and other special events. Celtic Manor is a special spot on the globe.
In 2010, the resort is ready to sparkle for the entire world to admire. Well, perhaps it is true that glittering diamonds do rise out of coal country. Celtic Manor in the lush Wales countryside is as brilliant as they come.
For more information, email Reservations at
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; call 866.789.5779 (U.S.) / 877.354.2003 (Canada) and ask for Golf Sales Manager Sean Clancy; or visit www.celtic-manor.com.
Getting There: Celtic Manor is 45 minutes from Bristol International Airport (BRS) and Cardiff International Airport (CWL). Daily, non-stop flights are available from Newark, New Jersey (EWR) to Bristol on Continental. Daily, one-stop flights are available from New York to Cardiff on KLM via Amsterdam; and from New York, Chicago, Boston and Orlando on Aer Lingus via Dublin. London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is a two-hour shuttle drive, with rail service from Paddington Station (London) to Newport, Wales also available.
Wales – Land of Wonderful Tales
As the world descends on Wales for the spectacle of the 2010 Ryder Cup, visitors will discover a country steeped in rich culture and fascinating history. With over 600 medieval ruins throughout this lush land, Wales has more castles per square mile than anywhere else in the world. Most notable are the castles built during the reign of warrior King Edward I (1272-1307) with magnificent walled cities in Beaumaris, Caernarfon, Conwy and Harlech. Each is well preserved and comprise a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
With their mellifluous lilt, Wales is also known as “The Land of Song” as its people are renowned for their affinity for music. Whether you hear the eerily beautiful traditional hymn singing called Cymanfa Ganu, Welsh folk songs triumphing tales of unrequited love or ancient kingdoms or simply a jovial sing-along in one of Cardiff’s welcoming 350 pubs, you won’t travel far in Wales without hearing a song. Best advice in a pub when song breaks out (as it surely will!), is to grab a pint and join right in.
The Welsh have the gift of gab. With a long tradition of storytelling extolling the deeds of King Arthur, Merlin the Magician and tragic battles between dragons, it’s little wonder that Wales has given the world an inordinate number of famous writers and poets. Dylan Thomas, Roald Dahl, Dick Francis, Martin Amis, George Eliot and Ken Follett (to name but a few), all have roots there. Hay-on-Wye – a lively river town on the English border is often described as “the town of books” and hosts a literary festival each June that attracts over 80,000 bibliophiles.
To truly discover Wales, all one needs to do is simply venture outside. In addition to the bucolic farmland (the home of over 11 million sheep!), Wales possesses some of the world’s most wonderous seascapes with 750 miles of coastline – much of it jaw-dropping. The glorious Gower Peninsula on the north side of the Bristol Channel in southwest Wales was the first area in the United Kingdom to be designated an “Area of Outstanding Beauty” in 1956. As the country is only 170 miles from north to south and 60 miles east to west, you’re never far from soaring mountains or idyllic sea. Wales is choc-a-bloc with hikers, walkers, cyclists and surfers.
Wales has more than enough delights for every traveler. Sure, you’ll come for the world-class golf, but also discover a land of enchantment, wonder and awe. Then, in that long Welsh tradition, you’ll too have wonderful tales to tell.
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