Wales to stage Ryder Cup in 2010, Scotland in 2014, continental Europe next four

<br>VIRGINIA WATER, England (AP) _ Celtic Manor in Wales was confirmed Friday as the venue for the 2010 Ryder Cup. <br><br>The European Ryder Cup Board also announced that the 2014 event will be staged

Friday, September 28th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

VIRGINIA WATER, England (AP) _ Celtic Manor in Wales was confirmed Friday as the venue for the 2010 Ryder Cup.

The European Ryder Cup Board also announced that the 2014 event will be staged at Gleneagles, Scotland, and that all Ryder Cups in Europe from 2018 to 2030 will be held outside Britain.

Celtic Manor was chosen over bids from Slaley Hall, England, and Scottish courses Loch Lomond, Carnoustie, Gleneagles and Turnberry.

It will be the first time the Ryder Cup is staged in Wales.

``I'm very pleased,'' said Welsh Ryder Cup player Phillip Price, who lives 15 minutes from Celtic Manor. ``It's taken awhile. It's great for us. We've been left behind in golfing circles, and hopefully this will create a little more interest and bring us back in line. Coming to Wales will be such a boost for everyone.''

Celtic Manor had been the favorite ever since Ken Schofield, executive director of the European Tour, endorsed the Welsh bid in May.

Celtic Manor is a multi-million-pound (dollar) complex owned by businessman Terry Matthews. It features a 400-room, five-star hotel, four restaurants, two health clubs and three courses.

Celtic Manor already stages the Welsh Open. The par-72 Wentwood Hills course is expected to be used for the Ryder Cup.

The Ryder Cup board had been due to make the announcement this week at The Belfry in central England, where the 34th Ryder Cup had been scheduled to start Friday.

But the event was postponed for a year following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. Organizers rescheduled the event for Sept. 27-29, 2002.

The postponement also led to a change in future Ryder Cup schedules. In order to keep the two-year gap, the matches will be played permanently in even-numbered years.

The Ryder Cup has been held every other year since 1927, with the exception of a 10-year break during World War II.

Oakland Hills Country Club outside Detroit will stage the 2004 Ryder Cup, while the K-Club, just outside Dublin, Ireland, will be the venue in 2006. The Ryder Cup will be played at Valhalla, Kentucky, in 2008 and Medinah, outside Chicago, in 2012.

The only time the Ryder Cup hasn't been played in either Britain or the United States was in 1997 when it was staged at Valderrama in Spain.

Courses in Spain, Germany, Sweden, France and other countries on the European continent will be considered for the Ryder Cup in 2018, 2022, 2026 and 2030.