LANDING the Ryder Cup is the best possible advertisement for Wales, says Welsh Development Agency boss Sir David Rowe-Beddoe.

The news that the Celtic Manor Resort at Newport is to stage the 2010 Ryder Cup, one of the world's top sporting events, was described as a unique marketing opportunity which would bring direct and indirect benefits to Wales, worth millions.

Agency chairman Sir David said about the Ryder Cup: "The announcement will kick-start a marketing drive to maximise the benefits for Wales.

"It is tremendous news for Wales and the direct and indirect benefits arising from this successful bid will be worth millions of advertising and marketing pounds.

"We could not have a better opportunity to raise the profile of Wales globally.

"We intend to capitalise on the intense media interest and use it to endorse and promote one of our key messages to key audiences around the world that Wales is world class. "The Ryder Cup is the most talked about, most written about and most televised event in golf. Whilst this decision is good for Wales, for business and tourism, it is excellent news for the future development of the game in our country."

Sir David praised the public and private sector partnership that had driven the bid forward, led by the enormous commitment of Sir Terry Matthews and Team Wales, captained by Tony Lewis, that had really delivered.

Sir David said that in terms of exposure, the Ryder Cup compared with the Olympic Games and World Cup.

"Choosing Wales was the ultimate accolade which would send out positive messages presenting unrivalled opportunities to build on the positioning of Wales as a first class business location, with an impressive quality of life.

"Golf, perhaps more than any other sport, is closely associated with business and many corporate decision-makers across the globe are enthusiasts. This is the audience the agency will be targeting in the run-up to the event."