JOY has given way to determination following news that Newport is to host the 2010 Ryder Cup at the Celtic Manor Resort.

Sitting back and waiting for it to arrive is not an option.

Celtic Manor owner Sir Terry Matthews is already leading the way.

"The plans have been set, our sleeves are rolled up and the work begins now," he said In a lengthy interview with the Argus published yesterday, Sir Terry also said a series of world-class facilities was being planned for the venue before 2010.

But the first task is to extend the Wentwood Hills course at the Celtic Manor Resort. This £12 million project, which attracted so much opposition but which was needed if Ryder Cup golf was to be feasible at the site, will begin in the next couple of months and take about four years.

While this is going on, work will have begun on the town's Southern Distributor Road, a privately-financed scheme to reduce congestion in the town by taking traffic south of Newport from the Coldra to the Pont Ebbw roundabout.

Newport East AM John Griffiths is one of many who believes it will be significant in the Ryder Cup context.

He said the Assembly would also be keen to look at any other proposals put forward by Newport council to help the event succeed for the benefit of the town.

"We need to get tourists in before the Ryder Cup," he said. "Newport is a gateway to Wales and there are wonderful areas in the vicinity. We could do a lot more in tourism terms."

Around 100,000 people are likely to visit over the Ryder Cup's three days, which has already set Newport and its fringes with the job of accommodating them. The Welsh bid for the Cup included the results of studies which showed that hoteliers could cope with the influx.

Councillor Graham Dally, the council's Cabinet member for transport, said 20,000 cars would have to be provided for and a shuttle service introduced to get people from the car parks to the golf course.

He said Newport could not afford to waste any time in getting ready for the Ryder Cup. "Ten years in the planning process is not a long time," he said.

One of the proposals is to create a gigantic car park and on land at Llanwern steelworks following the closure of steelmaking, and transport spectators to the course.

But by 2010 this land is expected to have been put to alternative use. It might surprise many if there is land at Llanwern still available in nine years' time for temporary use as a car park for a three-day sports event.