(NEWPORT, Wales) — The Celtic Manor Resort — host of golf’s 2010 Ryder Cup and premier luxury retreat less than two hours outside London — announces Ryder Cup heroes Miguel Angel Jiménez, Ross Fisher and Peter Hanson will tee it up in next month’s Saab Wales Open, revisiting the scene of their dramatic victory as part of the European team in October.
The top trio are among the latest stars to confirm their entries in the £1.8m ($US 2.5m) European Tour event which returns with premium car manufacturer Saab as the new title sponsor from June 2-5.
They will be able to share Ryder Cup memories with the man who secured the winning point, Graeme McDowell, and the man who masterminded the triumph, team captain Colin Montgomerie, who have both already confirmed their places in the starting field along with the swashbuckling American, John Daly.
Defending champion McDowell and Daly get Saab Golf Week off to an early start as they compete in a 12-person field alongside Ryder Cup stars Ian Poulter and Paul Casey, U.S. Women’s Open champion Paula Creamer and golfing legends Gary Player, Ian Woosnam and Helen Alfredsson in a brand new event – PowerPlay Golf: Ignition, driven by Saab – on Bank Holiday Monday, May 30. This world-first event sees the launch of PowerPlay Golf’s innovative nine-hole, two-flag golfing format.
Saab Great Britain Ltd Marketing Director, David Pugh, said: “We are delighted to see the heroes of October’s sensational Ryder Cup victory return for Saab Golf Week at Celtic Manor. I’m sure we’ll see many happy faces during the week when the players and their captain recall the mighty deeds and team spirit of that sensational Ryder Cup triumph.
“We look forward to all the players creating some new moments of magic on the spectacular Twenty Ten Course and on Bank Holiday Monday the spectators are in for a real treat as PowerPlay Golf: Ignition begins a full week of tournament action which does not conclude until the Saab Wales Open champion is crowned the following Sunday evening.”
With a smile and a cigar never far from his lips, Jiménez’s relaxed on-course demeanour belies a steely determination when it comes to closing out tournament wins and the 2005 Wales Open champion tasted victory three times in 2010 before making a telling contribution to Europe’s Ryder Cup success at Celtic Manor.
Jiménez paired up with Hanson to defeat the energetic American rookies, Jeff Overton and Bubba Watson, in the fourballs and the popular Spaniard beat Watson again in the singles to be one of only four European winners on the final day.
Fisher was also a tournament winner in 2010 when he secured his place in the Ryder Cup team by claiming his fourth European Tour title at the 3 Irish Open. The Englishman won two points out of four on his match debut at Celtic Manor, combining with Padraig Harrington for important wins against formidable opponents including Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk.
Hanson won twice in 2010 — at the Iberdola Open Cala Millor Mallorca and the Czech Open — to earn his first appearance against the Americans at Celtic Manor, where he chalked up his first Ryder Cup point in partnership with Jiménez. The Swede finished the season in 17th place on the Race to Dubai.
Other Ryder Cup stars teeing up in the Saab Wales Open include Thomas Bjorn, one of Montgomerie’s assistants at Celtic Manor, and former Open champion Paul Lawrie, who have both returned to the winner’s circle this season, as well as Oliver Wilson and Soren Hansen.
With more of the European Tour’s leading players expected to confirm their entries in the coming weeks, Saab Golf Week is a rare opportunity for golf fans in England and Wales to see top tournament action on their doorstep. Tickets for both the Saab Wales Open and PowerPlay Golf: Ignition, driven by Saab are available at saabwalesopen.com with discounts or complimentary tickets on offer to those attending both events.
About the Saab Wales Open
Premium car manufacturer Saab took over title sponsorship of the Saab Wales Open in 2011 from the Celtic Manor Resort, which continues to be the host venue and event promoter. The tournament was the first European Tour event to be staged in Wales for a decade when Steen Tinning won the inaugural event in 2000. Prize money has more than doubled in the 11 years since with a roll call of champions which includes Ryder Cup stars Paul McGinley, Paul Lawrie, Ian Poulter, Miguel Angel Jiménez, Robert Karlsson and Graeme McDowell.
The tournament was held on the Wentwood Hills course from 2000-2004 before switching to The Celtic Manor Resort’s Roman Road course from 2005-2007 as work was carried out on the new Twenty Ten Course. The Twenty Ten, the first course ever to be purpose built to host The Ryder Cup, took over the staging of the championship from 2008. The Saab Wales Open strives to offer visitors more than just a golf tournament and one of the largest hospitality pavilions on The European Tour is complemented by a tented village of attractions for all spectators to enjoy. In 2011, Saab Golf Week tees off early with PowerPlay Golf: Ignition, Driven by Saab taking place on Bank Holiday Monday, May 30.
For further information, visit www.saabwalesopen.com
Previous winners:
2010 Graeme McDowell 2004 Simon Khan
2009 Jeppe Huldahl 2003 Ian Poulter
2008 Scott Strange 2002 Paul Lawrie
2007 Richard Sterne 2001 Paul McGinley
2006 Robert Karlsson 2000 Steen Tinning
2005 Miguel Angel Jiménez
About PowerPlay Golf (www.powerplay-golf.com)
PowerPlay Golf® is a 9-hole golfing format in which golfers choose to aim for one of two flags on the green – a White Flag and a Black (‘PowerPlay’) Flag. The format is ideal for TV, enabling broadcasters to televise a complete golf tournament in less than three hours, and to increase golfing TV audiences. In the game, golfers have limited PowerPlays, and score extra points for net birdie or better when playing to the Black Flag, thereby creating extra pressure. Golf clubs become PowerPlay Golf® Official Venues by registering on the PowerPlay Golf® website, whereupon they are sent a Club Pack containing PowerPlay Golf® flags and other branded materials. Golfers can register online to earn PowerPlay Dollars, enabling them to climb the PPG World Rankings and compete in user-generated PowerPlay Golf® Leagues both locally and around the world. CONTACT: Jacqui Baldwin, +44 (0)1564 330684 / info@powerplay-golf.com.
About Celtic Manor Resort
Located less than two hours outside London, Celtic Manor Resort (www.celtic-manor.com) hosted golf’s 2010 Ryder Cup and is the UK’s foremost luxury retreat. Featuring 1,400-plus acres of panoramic parkland and wooded hills, it is recognized as the “Gateway to Wales.”
A popular destination among business and leisure travelers, golf-tour operators and corporate incentive agents, five-star Celtic Manor offers myriad amenities. These include three championship golf courses (the Twenty Ten, Roman Road and Montgomerie), two lavish hotels (the majestic, 330-room Resort Hotel and historic, 70-room Manor House), charming country inn (Newbridge on Usk), six 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 privately owned by founder Sir Terry Matthews, the Ottawa, Canada-based telecommunications entrepreneur who was born on the Celtic Manor site when the original Manor House was a maternity hospital.
Getting There: Celtic Manor is 45 minutes from Bristol International Airport (BRS) and Cardiff International Airport (CWL). London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is a two-hour drive, with rail service from Paddington Station (London) to Newport, Wales also available.
Contact:
Stephen Reynolds
Buffalo Communications
703.891.3509
sreynolds@buffalocommunications.com
www.buffalocommunications.com
www.twitter.com/buffalocomm
David Wood
Buffalo Communications
703.635.0577
dwood@buffalocommunications.com
