News

Making History In Wales

Published

16 years ago

Sep 28, 2010

More than nine years ago, in a hotel conference room in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Sir Terry Matthews was one very excited man. That day the serial entrepreneur with a Midas touch used the forum of his Canadian resort hotel and golf club – Brookstreet Resort and The Marshes Golf Course, to talk about his recent success in having his burgeoning Celtic Manor Resort in Wales named as the host facility for the 2010 Ryder Cup.

As far off as it was at the time Matthews knew EXACTLY what it would mean for himself and his native country. That’s because Matthews had been working on his Ryder Cup plan for nearly three decades.

Matthews, who was born in a farmhouse on the property his world-class Welsh resort now occupies, knew that to bring profile to any business project in diminutive Newport, Wales it would take a grand event. He also was keenly aware that the Olympics or a World Cup (soccer (football)) was certainly out of the question. Instead he focused on what was becoming one of the biggest sporting competitions in the world, The Ryder Cup.

With the plan to bring the Ryder Cup to his hometown he began the process of acquiring the land, building the resort and infrastructure, and bringing golf to life on a landscape ideally suited to the pursuit. By his side he had famed golf course designer Robert Trent Jones,Sr., and eventually his son Robert Trent Jones II, as talented and willing early collaborators. Subsequently the team from European Golf Design was brought in to create nine holes expressly for the purposes of the Ryder Cup, with Jones, II. still being consulted.

The elder Jones and Matthews had been introduced in Florida back in 1980 and formed a lasting friendship that would eventually lead to the development of Celtic Manor Resort and the Brookstreet Resort near Matthews’ Canadian home base. It was Jones who told Matthews what a great setting the Usk Valley would be for golf, sparking what would become a Welsh landmark.

This week, many, many millions of dollars later, the stage is set for the culmination of the nearly 30 year-old dream that should have a lasting impact on on Wales – across many sectors.

Matthews expects that the 50,000 people who will make their way to Celtic Manor in the next few days are the same people who will return again and again to enjoy the fine lodgings at Celtic Manor and play its 3 golf courses, including the Twenty Ten Course modified and shaped specifically for Ryder Cup action.

Some might call it one of the world’s most elaborate marketing campaigns but when the world catches site of Celtic Manor this week with the play of two competitive sides set against it, it should all make sense.

While the players and captains of this year’s respective United States and European Ryder Cup teams will likely not have thought about the event being played in Wales for as long as Sir Terry Matthews, their anticipation will likely be equal as they prepare for what are always matches that are historic in nature.

I’ll pass on the predictions on the outcome of the matches, although you can see some GolfWRX.com coverage on the topic by JB Audi here: http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/412955-ryder-cup-preview-and-predicitons/ , but for those unfamiliar with the Twenty Ten course layout (which most are) let’s take a look at some key holes. The canvas that these matches will be played on, especially with a set-up that is expected to vary daily, will undeniably be a factor in the results.

The Twenty Ten Course is unlike any other ever used to host the biennial battle for Samuel Ryder’s donated trophy. No other Ryder Cup venue was molded with the needs of players, spectators, and media in mind. At the same time its flexibility is perfectly suited to golf matches of the highest level.

Designed to be spectator friendly The Twenty Ten course presents many challenges to the golfer. Depending on the set-up varying lines of play could offer great rewards if successfully traversed. At the same time, those up to those challenges may suffer greatly in the form of lost holes.

Set on the floor of the Usk Valley with the Usk River flowing throughout, the Twenty Ten Course has nine holes plagued by water. At just under 7500 yards and playing to a par of 71, it has transformed immeasurably from its beginnings as the Wentwood Hills Course.

No hole can be more critical in a Ryder Cup then the very first. With hands shaking an early lead can set the tone for a match.

Hole #1 serves up a 465-yard par four that doglegs hard to the left. Nervous players will be sure to try and avoid the grouping of bunkers on the inside of the dogleg to ease their way into their first approach shot of the day. This is no easy warm-up hole and could instill either confidence or fear that may last the entirety of the day.

At 610 yards from the very back deck hole #2 is unlikely to be played at full length every day during the matches to afford some scoring opportunities. Even shortening the hole will not guarantee that it will be successfully reached in two as the green complex boasts ample movement in the surface, repelling less than perfect shots.

The 5^th hole is one of the shorter par fours on the front side but it is speckled with danger courtesy of thick rough and water crossing in front of the green. Players will have to have keen focus on hitting this fairway in order to control their shots into the green.

The hole to follow will really test the early nerves with water playing down the whole of the right side. Don’t be surprised to see a player visit the drink here on their approach if the hole location is tucked to the right.

#9 will be a “go hole” for just about every player with the forward tee being put into play, making this par five that shortens in from a monstrous 666 yards to a more reasonable 580. Birdies will be a must with eagles fairly common through the 3 days of play.

As much as #9 will serve up under par scores, the 11^th will be an even easier touch. The downhill par five of just 562 yards is protected by water on the left but routinely gives up eagles to the pros when the Celtic Manor Wales Open is played. This could be where a lot of matches swing.

That too, can be said of the 15^th hole, likely the most dramatic test on the course and certainly the one that should generate the most banter. If matches reach this juncture expect to see some fireworks. Even European Captain Colin Montgomerie says the fairway is virtually obsolete as most players will avoid the circuitous route of 377 yards and take a more aggressive route across the dogleg, directly to the putting surface. Shots remembered for ages will be struck here this week.

Lastly, the course closes out with a par five which will also be shortened for the week. This will present the chance to finish up with a long drive and the task of reaching the green in two by way of an approach that must carry a pond at the front of the green. As evenly matched as the teams appear, we could see more than a few matches reach a conclusion here.

Thirty years of foresight and eight years of specific course work just for the Ryder Cup have now concluded and the set is ready for the biggest golf drama in Welsh history to play out.

It’s sure to be a compelling one.

This feature provided to GolfWRX.com by Flagstick Golf Magazine (www.flagstick.com)

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open

Published

2 hours ago

Jun 3, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX Tour Photographer made the trip from the Memorial Tournament across the country to the U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera. Check out links to all the photos below!

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 Memorial Tournament

Published

2 days ago

Jun 1, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX is on site this week at the Memorial Tournament, with both Alistair Cameron and Tour Photographer Greg Moore on the ground in Dublin, Ohio, where a strong field is assembled to pay homage to the Golden Bear.

In addition to WITB galleries, we’ve already been treated to an in-hand look at Tommy Fleetwood’s new TaylorMade Spider putters.

Check out links to all our photos below.

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

News

Tour Tech Rundown: Heroic Henley

Published

2 days ago

Jun 1, 2026

Ronald Montesano

Around the world, the golf wheel spun this final week in May of 2026. From New Jersey to Austria, with stops in Korea, Texas, and North Carolina (don’t let me route your next trip) the world’s finest put their golf games on display. There were three playoffs, some known commodities and some new talent. It was the sort of week that we hope to have at this point in the seasons. June and July afford double-digit major events, and perhaps, one of this week’s champions will use this success as a springboard to new heights. Time to run it all down, tech style, in this week’s Tour Tech Rundown.

Thanks to WITBHub, Today’s Golfer, GolfWRX, and Inside Tour Golf for initial research into equipment.

PGA Tour @ Charles Schwab Challenge: Heroic Henley denies Cole

Eric Cole did nearly everything that a fellow can do, to secure a first PGA Tour title. He stayed one shot clear of Ryder Cup player Ben Griffin. He kept US Open champion Gary Woodland and wunderkind Michael Brennan two shots distant. He posted 70 on day four to reach twelve under par. And then, Russell Henley revealed his Dr. Strange cloak. Henley made 47 feet of birdie putts on holes 16, 17, and 18, to jump from minus-nine to twelve-deep, and secured a spot in a playoff with Cole. The duo returned to the final tee, and put on a stripe show.

Both golfers found the fairway off the tee, and Henley improved on his regulation play with an approach to four feet. Cole did himself proud, tucking an iron to a dozen feet, but he was unable to convert the putt for three. Henley is one of the best putters on tour, and he proved it once more by draining a putt for a fourth consecutive birdie, and a sixth PGA Tour title. For Eric Cole, that first victory should come, and soon. He has done everything necessary to earn the chalice lift.

Henley’s Suitcase

Driver: Titleist TSi3 at 10 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70g 6.5 TX
Metal: Titleist TS3 at 16.5 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 at 21 degrees. Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT hybrid 100 TX
Iron: Titleist T250 4-iron. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
Irons: Titleist T100 5-6 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
Irons: Titleist T100 7-9 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 48 and 50 degrees. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 54 and 60 degrees. Shaft: rue Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue S400
Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron T5 Tour Prototype

LPGA @ Shoprite LPGA: Welcome back, Celine!

Soo Bin Joo had her eyes on a maiden LPGA title. She held the lead after two rounds, then hit a red light at the intersection of can-I and how-To. Joo posted plus-two on day three in New Jersey, and dropped to a T4 finish, which was still a career-best for the young Korean golfer. Instead of a new face, a familiar face returned to the top of the podium.

Celine Boutier was the It Girl in 2023. She collected four victories, including a major title at Evian. Boutier reached world number one status, then simply faded into the background. No wins came her way over the next 30 months. On Sunday, she collected LPGA victory number seven, at the same trace as LPGA victory number two.

Day three saw Boutier manage the windswept Seaview Bay course with six birdies and a bogey. She was challenged in the end by Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol, who signed for a 66 of her own. Yubol came up one shot shy of the top ladder rung. Finishing in third place at -7, two back of the winner, was Ireland’s Lauren Walsh.

Celine’s Suitcase

Driver: PXG 0311 Black Ops Tour-1 at 9 degrees. Shaft: Graphite Design AD IZ-5
Hybrid: PXG 0311 Black Ops at 19 and 22 degrees. Shaft: KBS Hybrid Prototype
Hybrid: PXG 0311 Gen5.
Iron: PXG 0311 P Gen 4 5-9 irons
Wedge: PXG 0311 T Gen 4 PW
Wedges: PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II at 50, 54, 58 degrees
Putter: Bettinardi Studio Stock 3 DASS

DP World Tour @ Austrian Alpine: KK? KK!

Kota Kaneko has a rhythmic name. It has strong vowels and a run of voiceless stops in its crunchy K sounds. On Sunday in Austria, Kaneko put a stop to a challenge from Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia and everyone else, and claimed a first-ever title on the DP World Tour. Gouveia did well to reach 16-under par over four days, but Kaneko held firm, two shots in the clear.

Davis Bryant of the USA also forged a strong challenge for the win. He ended in a tie with Gouveia for second place. Kaneko began and finished his final round in a bit of a malaise, but he caught fire midway through. Birdies at 10, 12, and 13 provided the necessary cushion to cruise to the finish line without breaking a serious sweat.

Kaneko’s Suitcase

Driver: Ping Max G440
Metals: TaylorMade Qi4D at 15, 16.5, 21, and 24 degrees
Irons: TaylorMade P760 5 and 6 irons
Irons: TaylorMade P7TW 7-9 irons
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design at 46, 52, 56, and 60 degrees
Putter: Odyssey Ai-One Cruiser Arm Lock #7

Korn Ferry Tour @ UNC Health Championship: Improbably Alvaro

Alvaro Ortiz may have had a bit of scare on the outward nine on Sunday, but he came through in clutch fashion in the end. Ortiz began the day bogey-double, and added another double bogey at the 11th hole. He was mired in a downward trend, spiraling away from the top of the leader’s board. Ortiz found hope at the 14th, where his first birdie of the day tumbled home. Inspired, he closed with birdies and 17 and 18 to catch Ross Steelman at 10-under par, and the duo returned to the 18th deck for overtime.

The extra session concluded in brief time. Ortiz, buoyed by his newly-retrieved confidence, hit the fairway with driver, then approached to six feet and drained the putt. Gobsmacked, Steelman could do little more than smile and applaud, as his run at the top came to a close. The victory was the first for Ortiz on the KFT, and will implant him squarely in the chase for a PGA Tour promotion.

Alvaro’s Suitcase

Driver: Ping G430 MAX driver at 9 degrees loft
Metal: Ping G430 MAX 3W
Iron: Ping iDi Driving Iron
Irons: Ping Blueprint S irons
Wedges
Putter: Scottsdale TR Piper C

A party on the green!

Alvaro’s time comes in Raleigh with his first win @UNCHealthChamp ? pic.twitter.com/2dmtZdbSzk

— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) May 31, 2026

LIV @ Korea: Me llamo Joaquin

Chile’s Joaquin Niemann had been away from the LIV winner’s circle throughout all of 2026. This week in Korea, he reminded us that he is still a force to consider. Niemann chased down Taylor Gooch over the closing holes at Asiad Country Club, then claimed victory with a hole-one birdie in extra time. Bryson DeChambeau claimed solo third, one shot in arrears at minus-eleven. Dustin Johnson finished on fourth, one putt farther back.

Niemann’s Suitcase