Polo at Ryder Cup venue

Golf will make way for polo this summer when the world renowned Celtic Manor Resort hosts its first ever polo tournament.

Polo at the Manor will take place on Saturday 2nd July 2011 on a specially created polo field on the former Ryder Cup 2010 practice ground, adjacent to the Twenty Ten Course.

Host venue of golf’s 2010 Ryder Cup, one of the world’s largest sporting events, The Celtic Manor Resort will use its experience in putting on prestigious and high profile sporting events for the inaugural Polo at the Manor Trophy.

A joint venture between the five-star resort and event specialists freshbaked Business Services Group, Polo at the Manor will see some of the finest players and horses from across the UK compete in a day of professional, fast-paced polo matches.

Tapping into the growing popularity of the ‘Sport of Kings’ which has in the UK seen audiences grow by a third over the past two years, Polo at the Manor is part of the resort’s drive to expand its events portfolio, capitalising on the success of last year’s Ryder Cup.

Dylan Matthews, Chief Executive of The Celtic Manor Resort, says: “Hosting the Ryder Cup last year allowed us to demonstrate our expertise at staging major sporting events, but we’re keen to remind people that we are more than just a world-class golf venue.

“Polo at the Manor is the first in a series of new and exciting events which we plan to add to our portfolio. It is the first time the new practice ground will be used since the Ryder Cup and it is great to see the additional infrastructure added for the event being used again.

“Golf and polo complement each other as sports which appeal to the corporate hospitality market and we’re confident that this social event will attract spectators from across the UK.”

Added events manager Nigel Murphy of freshbaked PR: “The game of polo has undergone a major transformation in recent years in a bid to broaden its appeal. Shedding its elitist image, the sport is now played up and down the country with spectator numbers growing year on year.

“It will offer spectators a chance to dress up in their finery to enjoy a day of top-notch hospitality and sporting action against the backdrop of the iconic Twenty Ten Course.”

As well as the Ryder Cup and the annual Celtic Manor Wales Open on the European Tour, the resort has in recent years also hosted celebrity golf tournaments and a hospitality-driven masters of tennis tournament – the Elemis Invitational Trophy featuring the likes of Pat Cash and Henri Leconte. 

It also provided the venue for the British Road Race Cycling Championships in 2003 and 2004 but Polo at the Manor will be the first equestrian event ever held at Celtic Manor.

Sponsorship and hospitality opportunities are available at www.poloatthemanor.com