John Jermine, former Chairman of Ryder Cup Wales presented Corey Pavin, the 2010 United States Ryder Cup Captain, with a picture signed by the Rt. Hon. Carwyn Jones AM, First Minister of Wales, in recognition of his superb sportsmanship and leadership during the biennial match at The Celtic Manor Resort, City of Newport, Wales, last October.
The First Minister, who has stressed the significance of The Ryder Cup in establishing Wales as a leading destination for golf and in raising its profile as a country for business, trade, investment and tourism, expressed his gratitude to Pavin for the support and friendship he provided to Wales in the lead-up to and the playing of The 2010 Ryder Cup.
“Even when facing a significant deficit going into the last day the American team battled hard, with great passion and true sportsmanship the same characteristics that Corey showed throughout his career and clearly embedded in his side during Ryder Cup week,” said the First Minister.
“Despite him being the opposition Captain I know the Welsh public really took Corey, and his wife Lisa, to their hearts and there will always be a very warm welcome for him here in Wales”
Pavin said: “It was a tremendous week and it was nice for John to come down to The Senior Open Championship and present me with this picture and the lovely note that goes with it. Everyone in Wales and everyone at The Celtic Manor Resort were so nice to Lisa and myself and we were treated like royalty there. I cannot thank everyone in Wales enough.”
George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “We are delighted that Corey was able to receive this well-deserved memento from the First Minister. Corey and Lisa were marvellous ambassadors both during the week and during their visits to Wales for the planning of The Ryder Cup.
Jones personally selected and signed the picture to provide Corey and his wife Lisa with a lifetime reminder of their roles in the match between Europe and the United States which was played in Wales for the first time in the 83-year history of the competition.
The picture was taken by a remote camera and depicts a scene at the 18th hole of The Twenty Ten Course on the Saturday with USA in the ascendancy.