Wales.com

The Minister for Heritage, Alun Ffred Jones, has announced a deal which will see the defending US Ryder Cup team enter the UK via Cardiff Airport, when they arrive, later this year, to contest this iconic golf tournament at The Celtic Manor Resort, near Newport, between 1-3 October.

He finalised an agreement with the Chief Executive of The PGA of America, who are responsible for overseeing arrangements for the visiting team, during his recent trip to the PGA Golf Merchandise Show, held in Orlando.

The biennial Ryder Cup contest is recognised as one of the top ten global sporting events, which is followed by hundreds of millions of people around the world, and there has been much speculation as to how the US team would travel. Arriving in the UK via Cardiff is seen as an important moment in their journey, which is likely to attract considerable interest. The US team will fly in on the 27 September and return home from Cardiff Airport on the 4 October.

Alun Ffred Jones said:

"This is the first time that Wales has hosted The Ryder Cup so we felt it was important that the American team actually land in Wales to start their trip."

Margaret James, Head of Customer Service at Cardiff Airport, said:

"We look forward to welcoming the US team to Wales and hosting their travel through the airport. The airport has experience of handling travel for large scale events and will work with all partner organisations to ensure the team’s arrival is as seamless as possible."

Chief Executive of RCW, Rob Holt commented on the agreement:

"It was clear from our discussion with The PGA of America last week that the American Ryder Cup team are very much looking forward to the event, and to visiting Wales, many for the first time. As such, it’s entirely appropriate that they enter our country via our national airport."