Future President Cup Sites?

[Mike Vegis @ Kiawah]

I know that the 2007 President's Cup will take place at The Royal Montreal Golf Club.  Does anyone know where it will take place in future years?  Is it going back to RTJ or are other sites being considered?

[SPDB]

I think they mentioned that its going to Kiawah, now that the Sanctuary is open.  

[Evan Fleisher]

Beyond 2007, no clear venues determined according to this article...

http://www.presidentscup.com/news/behindthescenes102903.html

[PThomas]

I hope they take it elsewhere, to spread it around geographically, take it to  a different course, and hopefully take it to a truly great course

that politics and money  - I assume those are the reasons, pls correct me if I'm wrong-- dictate this site and the Belfry for repeated playings is truly sad ...the game's administrators should be ashamed of themselves

[john_stiles]

I hope they keep it on a Belfrey / 'PGA owned course' circuit.

That way they can only perpetually improve those courses.

It will mean more money for the PGA also.

It's a GCA / PGA win-win.

[Dan_Callahan]

Because it is match play, the President's Cup is a great opportunity to utilize a classic site that might be too short to host stroke play events (that whole defending par thing). It would be fascinating to watch the best players in the world on a course like Newport CC on a blustery late summer/early fall day.

[Eric_Dorsey]

I know next year's Ryder Cup is in Ireland, but don't they deserve a little more for what they've offered us over the last 100 years?

Is is too late in the year to goto a site like Ballybunion?  that would be spectacular to see the world's best go head-to-head there.
What about Old Head?  I know it's not a top-100 status, but it's still a nice course and would show great on TV; plus the fact that it does have some world class holes - especially down the finish.  It is all by itself down there south of Cork.

What about going to New Zealand and featuring some of the great new courses there?  Barnbougle, Cape Kidnappers, or Kauri Cliffs?  those would be great.

what about going to Japan and playing one of they're great courses - Hurono?  probably dreaming here.  

Otherwise - I have some good US ideas:

Dallas should get a big ticket venue - Dallas National would be a great site.  Houston doesn't have that much for world-class golf IMO.  actually, neither did Dallas/FW until Dallas National & Vaquero.
Barton Creek might be nice - 2 great courses there.
What about going to a great course in the Phoenix area?
What about going to a track like Pronghorn, which looks great.  Would they want something like this there?  is is too cold there right now?

[Jeff_Mingay]

Canada has much better options for 2007 as well. The only reason the President's Cup is going to Royal Montreal is logistics.

Very unfortunate.

[Wayne_Kozun]

Canada has much better options for 2007 as well. The only reason the President's Cup is going to Royal Montreal is logistics.

Don't forget money from the provincial government!

Unfortunately late September is not the ideal time of year for such an event in Canada.  In some parts of Canada the weather can start to get iffy at this time of year.

[Mark_Guiniven]

What about going to New Zealand and featuring some of the great new courses there?  Barnbougle, Cape Kidnappers, or Kauri Cliffs?  those would be great.

Eric, we will gladly claim Barnbougle thank you. North Island, South Island... Tasmania can be West Island. Makes up for Gary Player introducing Michael Campbell as an Australian.

[Jim Nugent]

A question.  How big a crowd must the course handle for the Presidents Cup?

[Jerry Kluger]

I heard that the crowd last Sunday was around 28,000.  I have also heard that they don't want to go back to RTJ but I haven't heard where they might be going.

[Jim Nugent]

I heard that the crowd last Sunday was around 28,000.  I have also heard that they don't want to go back to RTJ but I haven't heard where they might be going.

Could NGLA handle that many?  I'd love to see a top tournament played there.  

[Philippe Binette]

Weather in Montreal in middle September is fine...

The only reason it's a Royal Montreal is definitely not logistics... (it's on Bizard Island, only one bridge to get there)..


It's probably more about history.

[Steve_ Shaffer]

I remember a few years ago hearing something about Metedeconk in NJ being considered for President's Cup because of its proximity to New York. With Bayonne GC and Liberty National opening soon perhaps they would be considered.

[Jeff_Mingay]

Philippe,

I understand getting loads of people onto the island can be a challenge, but there's room for all of the peripheral requirements at Royal Montreal, right.

Corporate boxes and tents, parking, adequate practice facilities, large grandstands, concession tents, and room of tens of thousands of spectators on the grounds.

Most classic courses in Canada don't have that kinda room. Thus, Royal Montreal gets the big events. Not because it's a great course, or that the club has a long history.

[Robert Thompson]

I wrote about this issue in a column I wrote in the National Post last week when I was in Ireland. You can find it at www.goingforthegreen.blogspot.com.
I had just played Portmarnock and then the K Club and was so shocked to see the Ryder Cup was going to such a marginal venue -- as it will for most of the next decade. The Presidents Cup isn't much better. In Canada, St. George's or Hamilton would have been far, far superior venues.
I think the choice of location is determined by the amount of cash that can be handed to the PGA Tour/European PGA or U.S. PGA. That's the main factor.

[Jeff_Mingay]

Nice column, Rob. I particularly like your closing line... it sums it all up.

[PThomas]

The Belfry is still the worst...isn't it???

[Robert Thompson]

It would be hard pressed to be worse than the K Club. The bunkering was outstandingly awful.

[Wayne_Kozun]

Weather in Montreal in middle September is fine...

Yes, Montreal is OK but some parts of Canada aren't at this time of year.  You could rule out holding the event in Winnipeg, Calgary or Edmonton given the possibility of frost and very cold weather.  That leaves Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal and possibly some smaller cities in Ontario like London, Windsor and K-W.

I wasn't saying that the weather in Montreal is an issue, but due to the weather in Canada at this time of year you are limited to just a few cities.

I think Redtail would have been a great choice but it is probably too secluded.

[John Foley]

Philippe,

Wasn't Fazio designing a course in Montreal that was targeted for the President's Cup? I also thought at one time they we're considering Magna?

[Philippe Binette]

The course Fazio is designing is for the Canadian Open 2008...

I think most of the shaping is done, I'll try to sneak in there this fall...

[Wayne_Kozun]

Wasn't Fazio designing a course in Montreal that was targeted for the President's Cup? I also thought at one time they we're considering Magna?

St. George lengthened the course a few years ago adding some back tee decks.  My co-worker who is a member said that these were put in place in order to get the Prez Cup.

[Robert Thompson]

Fazio is building a course in Montreal for Angus Glen owner Gord Stollery. I hear the land is OK, but not great.
As for others vying for the Prez Cup, Magna, Mississauga, St. George's and possibly one or two others were very keen. St. George's was, by a wide margin, the best option for the event. But being the best course has nothing to do with the selection, now does it?
I think that this event could be vastly improved by taking it to courses that are actually interesting and would accentuate match play, rather than simply being a cash cow.