THE curtain was raised on the 2005 Celtic Manor Wales Open last night at a star-studded gala dinner at Sir Terry Matthews' Newport resort.

The action on the course kicked off this morning but last night guests including Ian Woosnam, Nick Faldo and rugby greats Gareth Edwards, Ieuan Evans and Australian Michael Lynagh were treated to Chinese acrobats, celebrity speeches and a performance by glamorous classical music quartet Stringmania.

Media mogul and sometimes television presenter Chris Evans took part in a rain-soaked pro-am tournament yesterday afternoon but dried off in time to conduct an on-stage interview with Ryder Cup hero Colin Montgomerie.

"It is wonderful to come back to such a fantastic place. The Ryder Cup here is going to be very special," enthused Montgomerie, who has been widely tipped to be the captain when the Europeans take on America at the Celtic Manor in 2010.

After being quizzed by former TFI Friday presenter Evans, Monty took questions from the floor and one cheeky guest asked the Scot why he was so pleasant on stage but not so much on the golf course.

"I think I have mellowed a bit over the years," he replied with a grin. The Prince's Trust Cymru also picked up £1,700 after former England rugby star Victor Ubugo auctioned a pair of tickets for Wales' Six Nations opener next year.