Celtic Manor unveils Ryder Cup changes

The Celtic Manor Resort will unveil course changes for the 2010 Ryder Cup when the European Tour heads to Newport for the Wales Open on June 3-6.

Jim McKenzie, the director of golf courses at Celtic Manor, said: "We've deepened a number of bunkers with larger faces and the rough will certainly be consistently thicker than it has been in previous years.

"The greens will also be a lot firmer, which is something we've been working towards since the course opened in 2007, and which has always been a high priority for Colin Montgomerie."

McKenzie added: "It means only properly-struck iron shots will be rewarded by stopping quickly on the greens."

Elsewhere, Ryder Cup director Richard Hills has to prepare a venue capable of hosting the 30,000 spectators who are due to embark on the Resort's grounds every day.

"We have based the plans on our experience of previous Ryder Cups at The Belfry and The K Club," said Hills.

"Security has to be our top priority, but we are also very confident the arrangements will ensure spectators enjoy their Ryder Cup experience while minimising disruption for those going about their normal business.

"The event will be a sell-out, which means we will have up to 30,000 people a day going through the two sites and we want every single one of them to have a great time."

The final ticket ballot can still be accessed through the website, seetickets.com/rydercup.
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