Golf . . . from PEMBROKESHIRE SPORT

PembrokeshireSport.co.uk sent two intrepid representatives along to have a quick look at the first practice day of the Ryder Cup and they reported back to say . . .

Celtic Manor – a place to savour!

The Ryder Cup visited Wales for the first time in its 92 year history this week and so PembrokeshireSport.co.uk sent a couple of intrepid representatives along to savour one of the greatest events in the world sporting character.

Bill Carne and Richard Hughes travelled up to Celtic Manor on the first day of the three practice sessions and watched at close hand as the great golf players from Europe and the USA set out in the biennial competition to gain supremacy and the bragging rights for the next two years until they renew the contest in two years back in the USA.

We let them tell their story from the moment they arrived at Tredegar Park to park up their car and go through the tight security cordon set up around Celtic Manor:

Well organised – but long walks

“Entry to the parking complex at Tredegar Park was smooth and organised, with a mandatory visit through an airport-style scanner to make sure we had nothing on us to cause problems. Like everyone else we were baffled about the no-phone rule but sensible left our mobile phones in the car because a gentleman in the next car tried to smuggle his in was quickly spotted and had to tramp the half-mile back to his car to store it there, muttering all the way!

Entry to Celtic Manor could only be obtained via bus from Tredegar Park or Llanwern, with a ten-mile bus journey to Celtic Manor, followed by a walk of a mile or so into the golf course itself but it was worth it on arrival to see the course, which looked absolutely superb and in pristine condition, surrounded by woodland and with lots of water as a natural feature and a hazard at several holes.

Balls in the water – but relaxed Americans

It was especially so at the 14th hole because our first move was to sit in the stand there and we watched several approach shots from the likes of Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter plop in the lake! Later on we saw Tiger Woods hit two drives into the lake and one keen onlooker behind us, with enormous binoculars, was able to say that Zack Johnson had fared even worse!

We followed the USA team through the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th holes and they were remarkable relaxed, with Corey Pavin clearly enjoying his lead role. It said in the programme that players wouldn’t be signing autographs but, Phil Mickelson apart, all the players seemed ready to sign and the great Tiger signed two hats for thrilled teenagers within six feet of us – but without a smile! Darren Clarke wasn’t impressed by the time some of the European players were taking with the crowd and grumbled at Rory McIlroy, who looks like a 15 year old, he’s so small.

We also watched the Europe team play the par-three 10th hole, played from a hugely elevated tee down to a small green surrounded by bunkers, and the accuracy was amazing, as was the American’s power in driving at the par five holes. They are going to take some beating!

Awful food and petty rules

One of the topics of conversation in the crowds was the food available: A burger and chips in a small box cost £7.50 and you needed a mini-mortgage to get a proper meal. Poor old Richard queued for two cups of tea for ages, only to be told (at 1.15pm) that they were out of tea! But I suppose that’s part of the events set-up, although you can’t take too much food yourself because ruck sacks are banned, with only small bags (8”x8”x8”) allowed in. Also be warned that if you are going up for the actual competition days then cameras, as well as phones, are banned!

Pembrokeshire folk in abundance

There were lots of Pembrokeshire folk there amongst the crowd, including Alan Jones, Ben and Dan Field and co from Sport Pembrokeshire, plus some youngsters from local schools and sporting teachers like Mr Gelly James. John Daniel, the ex-policemen and Bobby Brown, the former Cardiff City Football star now at the Rising Sun, were enjoying the atmosphere, as was Martin Charles, the ex-Llangwm cricketer and Neyland flanker, although a leg injury meant he was in a buggy.

There was real respect shown to the players (football crowds take note!) and they were clapped for good shots and whenever they arrived on the greens, with Tiger Woods clearly the golfer that everyone wanted to see, including us. One wag asked Jim Furyk if he wanted to treat us to fish and chaps after winning over £7 million the previous week - but there wasn’t even a glimmer of a smile from Mr Furyk!

Great occasion

So was it worth it? There were minor irritations like the distance from car to bus and bus to golf, not being allowed mobile phones (what if there was an emergency at home?) plus the lack of good food, but it was an amazing day where we savoured a special atmosphere at a very special event. We would rank it on a par (no pun intended!) with first visits to the Millennium Stadium or Wimbledon – and can’t wait to get back there on Saturday to witness what is sure to be not only a great sporting spectacle but a hugely competitive battle between the world’s greatest golfers!