The Ryder Cup involved professional golfers from the U.S. and Europe, which left out an ever larger contingent of talented, popular stars. It was time for a new idea.
The Right Time and Right Place
In 1993, PGA TOUR officials were having discussions on who would replace exiting commissioner Deane Beman. During discussions, informal conversations began to banter about the idea for a competition that would involve more international players. After prominent golfers expressed interest, TOUR officials began an official study period. The results of that study will be seen for the seventh time next month in Montreal, as the Presidents Cup is held at Royal Montreal Golf Club, September 24th through 30th.
In April of 1994, the announcement was made that the first Presidents Cup would take place September 16th through 18th of that year at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Prince William County, Virginia. The two missions of the event, a commitment to charities and the desire promote golf in other parts of the world, have helped to solidify the tournament's place on the world stage.
Members of the first U.S. Presidents Cup team were:
- Fred Couples
- Jim Gallagher, Jr.
- Jay Haas
- Scott Hoch
- John Huston
- Hale Irwin
- Tom Lehman
- Davis Love, III
- Jeff Maggert
- Phil Mickelson
- Corey Pavin
- Loren Roberts
Members of the first International Presidents Cup team were:
- Fulton Allem
- Robert Allenby
- Steve Elkington
- David Frost
- Bradley Hughes
- Mark McNulty
- Frank Nobilo
- Craig Parry
- Nick Price
- Peter Senior
- Vijay Singh
- Tsukasa Watanabe
The U.S. team won that first by a score of 20 points to 12. The locations and results of the next five Presidents Cups were as follows:
- 1996, Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Golf Club, Prince William County, Virginia - United States, 16 1/2; International, 15 1/2
- 1998, Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Melbourne, Australia - International, 20 1/2; United States, 11 1/2
- 2000, Robert Trent Jones Golf Club - United States, 21 1/2; International, 10 1/2
- 2003, Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estate, George, South Africa - Tied, 17-17
- 2005, Robert Trent Jones Golf Club - United States, 18 1/2; International, 15 1/2
Originally played in even-numbered years, opposite the Ryder Cup in odd years, it switched to odd-numbered years after the events of September 11, 2001. That year, the Ryder Cup was postponed until the following year as a result of the tragedy.
At least within the United States and Europe, the Ryder Cup has been hard to equal for the relative newcomer Presidents Cup. The Ryder Cup has over eighty-years of history to overcome, but the Presidents Cup has accomplished a great deal around the world, as well as its two main goals. First, over $13 million has been donated to various charities. Second, the game of golf has been enhanced throughout the world. The same global, international thinking that resulted in the Presidents Cup, also brought about the International Federation of PGA Tours.
This year, captains Jack Nicklaus (US) and Gary Player (International) have assembled two of the best teams every. Teams that will continue to build on a great tradition.
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Source: PGATOUR.com
