THE Celtic Manor has confirmed this is the last year it will be hosting its flagship Wales Open golf tournament, focussing instead on other golf and business events.

The annual ISPS Handa Wales Open, which typically attracts 40,000 spectators each year, has been hosted by the Newport resort since its creation in 2000.

But next year, it will be forced to move somewhere else.

Golf fans from across the UK began to arrive in Newport yesterday for this weekend’s event - part of the professional leading European Tour.

Fans from around the UK gathered to see Ryder Cup stars begin the tournament, which runs until this Sunday.

Former world number one Lee Westwood joins Gwent’s Bradley Dredge and Wales star Jamie Donaldson in playing for the prize fund of £1.8 million.

Chief operating officer for the Celtic Manor, Keith Waters, said: “I think everyone involved with this tournament is very keen for it to return to the European Tour schedule as soon as possible.

“We’ve had a superb 15 years here, and Celtic Manor deserves to be on the European Tour schedule. I know Sir Terry has got some grand plans for the hotel and the new conference centre, but once those have been completed in the next couple of years, hopefully we’ll be back.”

Mr Waters said there will still be professional golf in the country with the Senior Open Championship due to return to Wales in the next few years.

Paul Williams, a spokesman for the Celtic Manor, said: “It’s now time to perhaps look at other golf events and look at other areas of the business, including with our new international conference area.

“We’ve had outline planning permission for it and it goes for full planning permission in December, then work can hopefully start in early 2015.”

Couple Anne and Arthur Newman were among those who headed to the Celtic Manor yesterday to take in the action.

“Where we live we don’t have anything like this,” said the couple who made the journey from North Devon especially.

“It is a shame that it will be moving though. The resort here is perfect because of the transport links. The Wales Open has to be accessible.”