WALES GOES GOLFING CRAZY

The Wales Tourist Board are this week launching the third edition of their highly popular "Golf Wales" brochure, coinciding with Monday's opening of Celtic Manor's "Wentwood Hills" championship course and the exciting announcement made by the Professional Golfers Association.

The 56 page full colour brochure is a comprehensive guide to golfing in Wales, with editorial by Peter Corrigan, sports writer for the Independent on Sunday, and a welcome from WTB Chairman Tony Lewis and sports commentator Peter Aliss. Divided into North, Mid, West and South for ease of use, the brochure lists all the clubs in the country with special features on 35 of the most well-known courses.

The launch of the brochure coincides perfectly with Monday's successful opening of Dr Terry Matthews' latest development at Celtic Manor Hotel & Country Club - the championship Wentwood Hills golf course. It was announced on Monday that the Professional Golfers' Association are to stage a Welsh Open for at lest three years at Celtic Manor, commencing in the Year 2000. An event of this magnitude will put Wales and the Celtic Manor firmly on the golfing map, bringing all the world's top golfers to the country.

The course was officially christened by Welsh golfer Ian Woosnam, accompanied by Ryder Cup captain Mark James. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr and cared for by Jim McKenzie, the new course has already received glowing reports from the world's golfing press.

Of the week's developments, David Ward, Senior Marketing Executive of the Wales Tourist Board says, "The Wales Tourist Board are committed to promoting the excellent golfing facilities available in Wales to the rest of the world. This week's opening is excellent news for golf and for Wales. We now have a venue which can compete with the best in the world and which will be perfect for a high profile PGA European Tour event."

For further information or to order a copy of the brochure contact David Ward on +44 (0)1222 475236.