I would like to welcome readers of the South Wales Argus to this preview supplement for the ISPS Handa Wales Open. I hope it inspires you to come along and watch some fantastic golf with us over the next few days.

It’s always great to welcome back so many of the stars of The European Tour to Celtic Manor and Wales, and this really is a fantastic opportunity to watch some world-class sport right on your doorstep.

This is an exciting time to be hosting a golf tournament with the Ryder Cup taking place up in Scotland just a few days after we crown our champion on Sunday. I am delighted that a number of the players who will be competing in that showdown against the Americans at Gleneagles will be making their final preparations here at Celtic Manor.

I know European Captain Paul McGinley, himself a former Wales Open winner here at Celtic Manor, has been working closely with our Director of Golf Courses Jim McKenzie to make sure our course set-up matches the one they are preparing at Gleneagles as closely as possible.

Having Ryder Cup stars like Lee Westwood, Thomas Bjorn, Victor Dubuisson, Stephen Gallacher and Wales’ own Jamie Donaldson makes this the strongest field ever assembled for the Wales Open so we’re all looking forward to a magnificent few days of action.

We’re delighted once again to enjoy the support of our title sponsor, ISPS Handa, and we thank them for their backing which helps us to keep on growing this tournament, which is now in its 15th year on The European Tour International Schedule.

ISPS – the International Sports Promotion Society – does some really great work in promoting golf to new audiences, and especially in making the game accessible to blind and disabled people. Check out their work in the tented village throughout the tournament week.

Bringing new audiences to golf is what this event has been all about since we started the Wales Open here at Celtic Manor back in 2000. If you’ve never been to the event before, you really are missing out on a treat and one of the biggest occasions of the Welsh sporting summer.

As well as the star players, who always dazzle us with their unbelievable skills, we always try and put on a good value family day out for the spectators. So bring the kids along at the weekend and let them enjoy the Kidzone with bouncy castles, face painting and balloon shaping, while you enjoy a relaxing drink or a bite to eat in the tented village.

Ladies Day returns on Saturday and we’ll have trick shot shows and Q&A sessions not just with the top golfers but also with some Welsh rugby stars and legends.

We wish all the talented players in the field the very best of luck and hope to see you cheering them on. Thank you for your support.

Best wishes

Dylan Matthews

Chief Executive, The Celtic Manor Resort