Skysports.com looks at the changes that Celtic Manor has undergone in preparation for the Ryder Cup.
A look at the adaptations the European skipper has requested
Work on the 2010 Course at Celtic Manor did not start until 2005 and was not completed until July 2007 - the first course built specifically for the Ryder Cup.
Just three years old, the 7,378-yard lay-out has played host to the Wales Open for the last three years, but will now provide the centrepiece for golf's most prestigious team tournament.
Celtic Manor director of golf courses
Jim McKenzie talked
skysports.com through the changes that European captain Colin Montgomerie has instructed in the last 18 months in preparation for the Ryder Cup.
"When the 2010 course was designed or developed, it was designed by European Golf Design and they do Colin Montgomerie's design work so when Colin saw this golf course for the first time during the 2008 Wales Open he was more than happy with what he saw," explained McKenzie.
"It's hardly surprising because had he designed this course it would be almost similar to the one he'd have produced for us.
"Colin made his first official visit as captain in March 2009 which for us was a little bit late, but he made his first official visit then and walked around the golf course with people from staging, rules, referees, agronomy, media - it was quite a circus and we looked at fairway lines, which tees would be used and so on.
"Colin was anxious to change a few bunkers, take the face up in a few bunkers predominantly in the older part of the course, the old Wentwood Hills course, holes nine, ten, 11, 12, that sort of area and we also introduced a swale to the side of 11 which Colin was keen to see, as well as introducing a bank on the side of 15.
"The unfortunate thing was that we weren't able to have that work completed by the start of the 2009 Wales Open, it was too close, so we did all the work between the 2009 and the 2010 Wales Opens.
Positive feedback
"I'm delighted that when the tournament did take place this year the feedback was very, very positive. So all of the tweaks that Colin wanted to see have gone down well with his peers and some of his team members as it turns out so that was good.
"The one piece of negative criticism from the Wales Open was the inconsistency of the rough. We're still a pretty young golf course and we'd come out of a pretty poor winter into a very dry, warm, then cold, then warm spring and when you're chucking as much water on the fairways for the Wales Open as we were it was inevitable that certain patches of the rough hit by the water would be lusher than others.
"So we spent quite a considerable amount of time and about £15,000 on fertiliser and water since the Wales Open to thicken the rough up and make it more consistent which I think we've done.
"As we sit here with a month to go the European Tour are here nearly every week and they're more than happy with the progress. The practice ground across the river is also going in well so that's good news as well.
"But the Wales Open is a stroke-play event, 156 players in June, and the Ryder Cup is a match-play event, 24 players in October, so while the golf course will be pretty much the same, it's the environmental, weather conditions that make will make the difference.
"Obviously playing fourballs in the morning, although it will be cut and prepared, you'll probably find the rough is a little bit juicier, there'll be a dew on the ground, the air will be heavier so there's no question we'll see the golf course react differently during the Ryder Cup."
No tricks from Monty
McKenzie also admits he has been impressed by European skipper Colin Montgomerie's refusal to "trick up" the golf course in a bid to gain an advantage for his team.
Much has been made in previous matches about the home side's attempts to undermine their rivals by making some subtle or not so subtle changes to the lay-out of the course.
But McKenzie insists the 2010 course at Celtic Manor will provide a fair test of golf that favours neither team.
"As you're aware, at the Belfry Sam Torrance narrowed all the fairways down where the Americans hit it, that's why our guys like Phillip Price were able to keep up with the likes of Phil Mickelson for example.
"At the K Club Ian Woosnam knew that 95% of the time the Americans could flop up from the long grass around the greens and to try and counteract that Woosnam had all the rough around the greens cut down. It was all pitch and putt or the ball went into the bunkers, he levelled the playing field.
"Last time Azinger gave himself an advantage by cutting all the rough down at 300 yards so JB Holmes and Boo Weekley and all these guys would go for it in 'boomer's rough' as he called it.
"That's where I've got great respect for Monty, it's been very encouraging because he's said that this is not a golf course that you can covertly trick up or do things that would favour a European style of play - whatever that may be.
"He's said that it is a golf course that should be open, fair and square and one where the team that plays best wins the Ryder Cup.
"Probably Corey Pavin summed it up best when he played here last year. I was fortunate enough to walk a few holes (11, 12, 13 and 14) with him and his caddie and Corey said; "I like this golf course, it's all out there in front of you. There's nothing hidden behind trees or over hills. In fact, if you can't see it, it's not there."
"So Colin is not getting involved in any trickery and I think he has to be applauded for that."
Europe to edge it?
As for who will win, McKenzie is hoping for a European victory but expecting a close contest.
"I hope the Europeans reach 14½ points first because as we all know the Americans are holding it and 14 wouldn't be good enough.
"But I do believe it will be close and that the Europeans will just make it by a point or two but I don't think we'll have the record scores we had at the K Club."
