The Ryder Cup Wales ‘Summer of Golf’ programme was officially launched on Wednesday (19th May) at simultaneous events in North and South Wales. The venue for the South Wales launch was Pontypridd Golf Club and the North Wales launch was held in Royal St David’s Golf Club in Harlech.

The ‘Summer of Golf’ is a top quality programme of golf events organised across Wales throughout the summer months, as part of the successful 2010 Ryder Cup bid. The ‘Summer of Golf’ comprises nine events including the ‘Wales – Golf as it should be – Ladies Open’ in Porthcawl in August.

Roger Pride from the Wales Tourist Board unveiled its latest advertisement in the ‘Wales- Golf as it should be’ campaign. Roger said: “The Ryder Cup has been the catalyst for the campaign and the latest advert is aimed at the growing group of female travellers looking for the type of quality golfing experience Wales has to offer. The fact that we have secured title sponsorship of the ‘Wales-Golf as it should be-Ladies Open’ is also a significant boost to the campaign.” Ladies European Tour member Eleanor Pilgrim helped to launch the advert which is set to be a great focus for the WTB this summer.

Andy Morgan, chairman of Golf Development Wales, the organisation set up as a direct result of the successful Ryder Cup bid to increase participation and improve standards in golf in Wales, particularly amongst women and girls, said: “The Summer of Golf events allow golfers of all ages and all standards across Wales to watch top class golfers in action. The likes of Laura Davies, Becky Morgan, Becky Brewton, and Eleanor Pilgrim are great role models for any golfer in Wales.”

Top Welsh golfer Eleanor Pilgrim was also on hand at Pontypridd to give the junior members some hints and tips about improving their game.

Graham Moore, Ryder Cup Wales 2010 board member said: “Seeing players such as Laura Davies, Shani Waugh, Becky Morgan and Becky Brewerton at the Wales – ‘Golf as it should be’-Ladies Open…will help to widen the appeal of the game and encourage more people, especially women and juniors, to try it for themselves.”

The Wales ‘Golf as it should be’-Ladies Open takes place at Royal Porthcawl, near Bridgend, from August 12th – 15th 2004.