ANDY Stanton, pictured,the chairman of the Celtic Manor Wales Open, has decided to retire from all of his duties in April.

Stanton, who played a key role in establishing the Celtic Manor and in bringing the 2010 Ryder Cup to Wales, had his departure confirmed yesterday by Celtic Manor spokesman Gareth Rees-Jones.

His retirement comes despite the Celtic Manor being less than a year into a project to transform the Wentwood Hills Course for the Ryder Cup, with nine new holes planned.

His decision also comes just two months before the 2005 Wales Open, which will be contested on the Roman Road course, due to the Wentwood Hills course renovation, which is not expected to be completed until 2006.

Stanton's departure from the Celtic Manor will bring an end to an almost 40 year association with resort owner Sir Terry Matthews.

Stanton, a former Canadian rugby international, had been a close friend and business associate of Sir Terry since the late 1960s and took over as project director when Sir Terry purchased the Manor house in the 1980s.

Stanton's initial responsibilities at the Manor included development and he was a key man in helping to establish the entire site, both as golf complex and a hotel and convention centre.

Stanton's main challenge was as a driving force behind the bid to bring the 2010 Ryder Cup to Gwent, with his expertise in golf course development being cited as a key reason for the Celtic Manor being chosen, the first course in history picked to host a Ryder Cup that was not already built.

Former European Tour director Ken Schofield admitted at the launch of the new Wentwood Hills course that the role of Stanton and Sir Terry in the project was important.

He explained: "It is not usual to have selected a course that is not yet built but we have great faith in the promises and hard-work of Sir Terry Matthews and Andy Stanton."

Stanton has also been the chairman of the Wales Open since the first tournament in 2000 and has worked worldwide for Newbridge Networks, Sir Terry Matthews company, including work on course development in the U.S and Canada.