THE WORLD'S leading golf tournament will not be coming to the North-East for at least a third of a century.

News that Slaley Hall, the region's premier golf course, has missed out on both the 2010 and 2014 Ryder Cup tournaments was greeted with disappointment by bid partners last night.

Further gloom was left over the Northumberland course after it was revealed that, as yet, unnamed continental countries will stage the following four Ryder Cup matches in Europe, leaving the next available date 2034.

Following intensive lobbying in domestic golf circles, the European Ryder Cup committee awarded the 2010 tournament to the Welsh bid, Celtic Manor, near Newport, while the prestige Scottish course, Gleneagles, was given the nod for 2014.

But with the sport growing in popularity on the continent, different nations will stage the 2018, 2022, 2026 and 2030 matches between the best 12 European and American golfers.

Speaking after yesterday's announcement, European tour executive director Ken Schofield said: "Wales, Scotland and Europe are all winners," pointedly avoiding reference to the North-East.

Slaley Hall's backers, regional development agency One NorthEast and sports promoter Nova International, offered "congratulations" to the successful Welsh team.

Former Olympic bronze medal-winning athlete Brendan Foster, of Nova International, said: "We believe the long-term benefit of the Great North Open at Slaley Hall as a leading European tour event, and the health of the sport in the region in general, have both been well served by being involved in a North-East bid."

He pledged "a whole series" of golf activities would be brought to the region as a result of alliances formed in the Slaley Hall bid.

One NorthEast chairman Dr John Bridge said just being involved in the bid was a "worthwhile" exercise in promoting the region.

But North-East Chamber of Commerce chief executive Michael Bird said he felt the Slaley Hall proposals were "every bit as good" as the winning Welsh bid.