The Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA) has announced that ‘In The Rough’, the event industry’s annual charity golf tournament, will be held at The Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, Wales on Thursday July 19, 2018.

The event, which has been organised and staged by ESSA every year since its inception in 2008, has previously been held at championship courses at The Belfry and Forest of Arden, and this next edition will see event industry professionals battling it out on The Celtic Manor Resort’s famous Twenty Ten Course, the first course purpose built specifically for the Ryder Cup.

The Twenty Ten promises nearly 7,500 yards of fairways and greens, 9 water hazards, six signature holes and ‘a sting in the tail’ at the 18th for competing teams from across the supplier, venue and organiser sectors. After the golf, teams and their guests will be invited to an evening of informal networking and drinks, followed by the traditional gala dinner, featuring collections for the event’s chosen charities (yet to be confirmed) and a prize giving for the winners of the day’s individual and team awards.

Andrew Harrison, ESSA director, was delighted to have secured the event at The Celtic Manor Resort, saying, “With every edition of In The Rough, we want to make it bigger, better or both. We chose The Celtic Manor based on the amazing facilities and experience it offers, including the world famous 2010 Ryder cup course that all of players will have the chance to take on. Going on previous events, team places tend to get snapped up very quickly, in fact, it had sold out before we had even officially launched in 2017 , so I’d advise anyone interested in joining us for In The Rough 2018 to contact ESSA immediately and get booked in!”

In The Rough 2018 will be supported by headline sponsor BeMatrix, and event partners Mash Media, InEvexco, Jungheinrich Materials Handling and Perton Signs. ESSA is also actively seeking tee sponsors, as Harrison explained, “In previous years we’ve had incredibly imaginative and fun ideas from tee sponsors from archery competitions to ice-cream vans, and we’re keen to continue this tradition. In the past tee sponsorship opportunities have been snapped up very quickly, so as with team places, I’d advise anyone interested to get in touch with ESSA as soon as possible."