Monty chooses stars for Celebrity Cup

Golfing legend Colin Montgomerie has chosen the first stars to compete in the brand new Celebrity Cup which takes place as a new addition to Golf Live at The Celtic Manor Resort from 10^th-12^th May.

The 2010 Ryder Cup Captain will oversee teams of celebrities from the worlds of sport and showbusiness competing for England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales in the four nations tournament. 

Five-time Olympic Gold medallist Sir Steve Redgrave and model and TV personality Jodie Kidd are the first names inked on the England team sheet while the Welsh challenge tees off with BAFTA nominated actor and comedian Rob Brydon and TV presenter Gethin Jones.

Scotland’s first two selections are a pair of sporting greats - former Lions Rugby captain Gavin Hastings and legendary Liverpool player and manager Kenny Dalglish - while Boyzone singer and soap actor Keith Duffy is the first player to line up on the Irish side.

With more big names to be announced in the coming weeks, The Celebrity Cup will see teams of six going head to head in a round-robin competition culminating in a grand final on the afternoon of Sunday 12^th May.

Montgomerie, who led Europe to their Ryder Cup victory in 2010, said: “I know what it’s like to be involved in a big team event at Celtic Manor so I’ve picked some players who I think can handle the pressure.

“These guys are really up for the challenge and it’s shaping up to be a highly competitive but fun-packed tournament.”

The new Celebrity Cup forms part of Golf Live, the world’s leading interactive golf show where visitors can see top players in action, enjoy skills theatres with leading coaches and engage with the game’s top brand names.

Returning as the Official Destinations Partner and exclusive tour operator, Golfbreaks.com will be on site in the Tented Village showcasing their latest products and offering expert travel advice.  Fittingly Visit Wales have also confirmed their involvement as the Official Destination and will be working with the organisers to promote golf in Wales throughout the year.

Montgomerie added: “There is no other event like it in golf, and for golfers to be given the chance to come along and see the interaction between the pros, the coaches and the general public and now the celebrities is fantastic.”

The Celebrity Cup will allow spectators to get up close to the stars outside of their regular sporting and entertainment comfort zones and includes a glittering gala dinner on Saturday night. Money raised from The Celebrity Cup at Golf Live will be donated to the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation, founded in memory of Colin’s mother who died of lung cancer.

More top celebrities are queuing up to catch the eye of Montgomerie and his captains and be included in the next draft of team announcements to be made in the next few weeks.

Celtic Manor is the ideal venue to entertain top names from sport and showbiz having successfully hosted the celebrity All*Star Cup in 2005 and 2006, as well as the 2010 Ryder Cup.

The two different elements add up to one great event and a fantastic value family day out with tickets available at early bird discounts from £10 for adults and £5 for children until 15^thMarch. Hospitality packages start from £150 including VAT.

For more information or to buy tickets visit www.golfliveevent.com