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SWALEC will be the main sponsor for the prestigious Ryder Cup Wales Challenge Tour event, which will be held from 24-27 July on the Vale's stunning and testing Wales National Course.

As every golfing enthusiast knows this year's Celtic Manor Wales Open was played over the new Twenty Ten course, the layout that has been created specifically to host the 2010 Ryder Cup.

Mark Reed, General Manager and Director of Coaching at Machynys, (pictured holding the trophy with PGA captain, Parnell Reilly and the Machynys golf team) had the honour of working at the infamous Ryder Cup venue, The Belfry from1994 - 2004 as Golf Operations Manager and Head Teaching Professional. Here in 2002 he experienced the Ryder Cup first hand. He commented: "It is an honour to have the Ryder Cup back at Machynys for a second time, especially in light of the initiative that this trip is supporting. The Ryder Cup is officially the third biggest sporting event in the world behind the football world cup and the Olympics so it is an honour to have such an event come to Wales in 2010".

The ever popular S4C Wales Ladies Championship of Europe will, once again, return to the Nicklaus designed course at Machynys Peninsula Golf & Country Club.

Leading golf equipment manufacturer PING has announced the launch of two new carry-bags for the 2008 golfing season, the Latitude and the Freestyle.

Trudy Carradice visits Machynys Peninsula A recent invitation to play a fourball at Machynys Peninsula was too good a chance to miss and as soon as I mentioned it to three golfing friends they leapt at the chance to take on Wales' only Nicklaus designed course. Easily reached off the M4 we made an early start with expectation and excitement in our hearts. As we entered the long driveway leading to the course the sun was already up and the mist beginning to rise from the lakes. I knew that we had uncovered a seaside gem.

A whistle-stop helicopter tour of the Ryder Cup trophy to over 100 Welsh golf clubs culminated in its arrival at the Celtic Manor Resort on the final day of the recent Wales Open. Met by Sir Terry Matthews and rugby legend Gareth Edwards, the arrival of the helicopter provided an interesting diversion from the battle on the course. The trophy was also present during the closing ceremony on the 18th green of the new Twenty Ten course.

Mark Govier started his golf at Fairwood Park where he was junior club champion on several occasions. He represented the County at both junior and senior level.

Glenmuir's new Hi-Cool men's and ladies' shirts offer golfers the best of both worlds - outstanding performance combined with exceptional comfort.

Some of the most exciting and interesting golf courses in northern Europe are just a stone's throw away from home for Welsh golfers. Brittany Ferries run golf packages from Plymouth, Poole and Portsmouth, taking you to the Normandy and Brittany areas of France and to the northern Spanish coast around Santander.