Ian Woosnam has joined the race for one of the biggest prize funds in European Seniors golf after announcing today that he will compete in the Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open alongside one of the strongest fields ever assembled for a European Seniors Tour event.
The 2006 Ryder Cup captain and former Masters winner will return to his golfing origins after confirming his entry for the event which returns to Conwy (Caernarvonshire) Golf Club for the second year running between 13th and 15th June.

Having turned 50 at the beginning of March, Woosnam is looking forward to a season on the Seniors Tour, and in particular will relish the opportunity to play in front of Welsh supporters at the Ryder Cup Wales event which attracts an illustrious international field.
Currently in the Dominican Republic, Woosnam said, “It will be fantastic to return to Wales in June for the Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open and to compete on home soil for what will be the first time since the Wales Open in 2006. With the support from the Welsh golf fans, I am looking forward to the challenge where I will be up against some of my greatest friends and rivals.
“By taking events like the Seniors Open around Wales, we are sending out the message that Wales is becoming a serious alternative to the likes of Scotland and Ireland as a golfing destination. Events like this bring important economic benefits to the area and shows that the hosting of The Ryder Cup in 2010 is already having all-Wales benefits.”

John Jermine, Chairman of Ryder Cup Wales, said, “With Ian in the field it guarantees that 2008 will see our best ever entry and will give spectators an exciting opportunity to see some of the world’s greatest players, including two “Major” winners – Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam – competing on Welsh soil. It promises to be a great week, highlights of which will be televised throughout Europe, and we look forward to welcoming a record number of spectators to Conwy.”

The event, which is the second richest on the European Tour, has a prize fund of £500,000 and first prize of £75,000. The Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open has previously been hosted at Royal St David’s in Harlech and the Vale Hotel, Golf & Spa Resort in South Wales.

Welsh golfer Sion Bebb has given the thumbs up to a new project which is designed to help produce the nation’s next generation of players.
Golf Development Wales is hoping that its new brainchild – a CD Rom aimed at spelling out best practice in areas such as developing robust junior club structures, competition formats and volunteer recruitment and education - will ensure that more juniors take to the fairways than ever before.

Bebb – who has this year been busy competing in European Tour events in South Africa and Asia – has been one of the first to give his seal of approval to the project: “I think the CD Rom will be invaluable in getting everyone in Wales on board in getting more juniors onto the greens and playing the game. Wales are putting such effort into encouraging more youngsters into the game in the run up to the Ryder Cup in 2010 which is essential in safeguarding the future of golf.”

Brian Davies – manager of Golf Development Wales explains: “We’ve sent the pack to all golf clubs in Wales. It is a step-by-step guide for those working out in the field to help organise and develop junior golf. The on-screen information, downloadable reference documents as well as a whole host of video clips are aimed at helping golf clubs contribute to our strategy (D3) of developing golf for young people.”

The CD Rom also plays a vital role in raising quality standards across clubs in Wales. Davies adds: “We’re developing a new Golf Union of Wales Junior Club Accreditation scheme, Junior GolfCert, which will help to recognise clubs for the work that they are undertaking. Clubs involved in this programme will clearly be demonstrating their commitment to fostering the game at the junior and beginner levels as well as aspiring to reach a national standard.

Golf Development Wales has been working closely with Cardiff-based media streaming company CC4 to get the CD Rom up and running. The Welsh firm specialises in front-end content creation. One of their recent projects was to create and launch a video-driven site to support Bebb's career.

CC4 has also provided cutting-edge media solutions for Cardiff Blues, Glamorgan Cricket and the Welsh Football Trust.

More clubs from the Dyfed area have revealed their dates for Boys Junior Open fixtures.
Click here for details of the 2008 Welsh venues sent to GDW so far.

The South Wales Girls Association has also revealed its fixture dates.
Click here for details of the 2008 venues and dates.

The schedule of competitions for the HSBC Wee Wonders competition has been announced.
Click here for details of the 2008 Welsh venues.

Clubs and Junior Organisers should now have received the new Guide to Clubs on Junior Golf cd-rom.

Linked with this new guide is the GUW Junior Accreditation scheme "Junior GolfCert".

 

Clubs wishing to gain Junior GolfCert status should return the application form enclosed with the cd-rom or call GDW on (01633) 436048 or e-mail office@golfunionwales.org