Celtic Manor Course: 'Golfing vision'

The flagship event will be the pinnacle of a huge investment centring round the �140m Celtic Manor Resort, which overshadows the billionaire's birthplace 58 years ago.

The remarkable story of Celtic Manor began a decade ago when Matthews drove past the boarded up old nursing home and decided to explore the old manor house.

"I came up and talked to the caretaker who showed me round, I could not believe how beautiful a manor house it was.

"The twig of an idea came to me as I looked down on the M4 and all the cars. The thing about a hotel is location, location, location."

His drive to develop the biggest and best resort for Wales has developed into a huge success story, with leisure, hotel and conferencing facilities envied across Europe.

It is estimated by the Sunday Times Rich List that Matthews has built up a fortune of �1.7bn and he has passionately ploughed tens of millions of pounds back into the Welsh economy in a dream that is now bearing fruit.

I am the oddball among my friends and clients that does not play golf too well

Terry Matthews

"I like things to be profitable and sustained, then they are stable and last a long time. If they are not profitable they will eventually die," said Matthews. "This is a big ticket item."

He recognised through his international business dealings that golf is an international currency in the business world and he understood the pulling power of a top class facility.

"I am the oddball among my friends and clients that does not play golf too well. They come here and enjoy themselves on great courses. It is definitely part of business."

Gareth Davies, chairman of the Sports Council for Wales, said Matthews' commitment had brought Wales to the brink of scooping one of the world's great sporting events.

"Without an individual like Terry, Wales would not have had the vision, the initiative or financial clout to set it off.

Rhodri Morgan: 'Matthews is a true entrepreneur'

"People say that money can be the route of all evil but certainly for the Ryder Cup bid, Terry's money has brought people together, everyone has seen there is a common interest, which is for the benefit of Wales."

Matthews also aims to develop his new broadband technology at March Networks to deliver a unique 3-D view of the 2010 Ryder Cup.

"By the time of the Ryder Cup we will have network video cameras with broadband all over the course, people will be able to go onto the internet and look at video streaming of all of the holes and players. It is a whole new venue to deliver broadband," said Matthews.

I see Terry Matthews as a kind of Welsh salmon, going across the Atlantic...and then having a desperate desire to go back to the exact same spot in the river he came from

Rhodri Morgan, Assembly First Minister

The Celtic Manor Resort phenomenon is also highly prized by Assembly First Secretary Rhodri Morgan as a focal point for putting Wales on the world map.

"The great benefit of landing the cup eight years in advance. For eight years beforehand, you have the marketing advantages of knowing it is coming here.

"You would be seen as a successful country before the event arrives. Then you would have the wall to wall coverage.

"He has an appreciation of how high a profile golf has in the North American and Japanese business markets. It helps turns heads when striking deals bringing business to Wales.

"The Ryder Cup is the third biggest sporting event in the world in terms of a profile."

Matthews vision began as a 16-year-old apprentice in the British Telecom research laboratories, where he learned his craft and ambitiously set out to create new and bold products.

With chips: Newbridge electronics, part of the Matthews business empire

Dr David Cleverley, MD of Cambridge-based telecom consultants Analysis, said Matthews had become "revered and worshipped" over the years for his ability to create products for an expectant market place.

"He has achieved miracles in building businesses in telecommunications, in particular he has a real nose for things that are going to happen before people see it," said Dr Cleverley.

Matthews' portfolio of business successes include telecommunications switching company Mitel, Alcatel, Newbridge Electronics, Celtic House Investment and March Networks.

Rhodri Morgan said Matthews boldness and drive is deeply rooted in Wales.

"I have always seen Terry Matthews as a kind of Welsh salmon, going across the Atlantic growing and developing and then having a desperate desire to go back to the exact same spot in the river he came from to produce more salmon.

"He knew he wanted to make things better than they had been done before and take a risk and go out and do things that your accountant would advise you not to do. That is the genuine entrepreneur."