HOLLY Jones was the centre of attention yesterday at a photocall to mark a year to go before the Ryder Cup competition begins in Newport.

As she does not celebrate her first birthday until October 28, Holly could not understand the significance of the big occasion.

But her father Gareth Rees Jones, marketing director at the Celtic Manor Resort, and other key figures including Newport city council leader Cllr Matthew Evans and Ryder Cup director Richard Hills, were well aware of the importance of staging one of the world's biggest sporting attractions.

Next October, top golfers from America and Europe will tee off on the specially constructed Twenty Ten Course watched by millions of spectators and television viewers.

Cllr Evans said: "I think Newport has never really fulfilled its full potential and this is an ideal opportunity to take the city forward and to bring communities together.

“This is an unique opportunity to create a long lasting legacy for generations to come."