This Week at WorldGolf.com: Sept. 21, 2005

Presidents Cup runneth over: New
kid threatens Ryder Cup preeminence

The Presidents Cup, which gets underway Thursday in northern Virginia, may not have the prominence of the Ryder Cup Matches but, given that here in the TV Age we have the attention spans of a 2-year-old on crank, don't bet on it staying that way for long.

The Presidents Cup has a couple things going for it. First, it's backed by the media-savvy juggernaut that is the PGA Tour. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, the international team has players from all over the globe, not just the UK and Europe. This difference is huge. If you were heading up a team to come after Tiger, Lefty and co., wouldn't you want to include guys from South Africa, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and the small island nation of Canada? Imagine taking the best of the European Ryder Cup team and then mixing in the likes of Vijay Singh, Retief Goosen and, but for a knee operation, Ernie Els.

The one thing that the Ryder Cup Matches have going for them, of course, is history and elan. Over the years some of golf's great moments have come in the Matches, including Syd Easterbrook's 30-foot putt to beat Denny Shute and give Britain the Cup in 1933, Justin Leonard dropping a 45-footer to seal the Yanks' comeback at Brookline, and Jack Nicklaus conceding a putt to Tony Jacklin in the 1969 Matches resulting in the first ever Ryder Cup tie.

To that list, however, you can add the epic 2003 Presidents Cup played in South Africa. Now I know some blood-thirsty, if-you-don't-win-you're-a-loser types like Chris Baldwin probably pulled their hair out when Captains Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player decided to end competition with the teams tied. But at the risk of being (again) dubbed our resident hanky man, I have to say that that moment - the class and dignity exhibited - is what golf is all about. And it will go a long way towards helping establish the Presidents Cup as the preeminent team even in golf.

This week Sportsbook.com is listing the U.S. as a 5-9 bet to win its fourth Presidents Cup.

I'll give you another safe bet: The folks behind the Ryder Cup Matches will be watching closely. Don't think they'll just be having a few pops and rooting for their favs. More likely they'll be plotting new ways to upgrade their event, from additional adjustments to player selection to most logical next step: bringing in players from outside of Europe.

As always, WorldGolf.com welcomes your comments.

Tips for Tim Finchem to
make his TV talks "sexier"

Tim McDonald knows sexy. So with PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem looking to make golf "sexier" to network broadcasters, McDonald has some timely suggestions. Among them: pay more attention to beer-cart girls and ax the Wachovia Championships because they charge extra to use their ATM machines. And, while they are at it, maybe hire Bill Murray as an announcer and allow Natalie Gulbis to play whenever she feels like teeing it up.

Full story | Meet Kelli, our latest featured Beer Cart Girl of the Week!

Pukalani Country Club: A rare
great deal for golfers on Maui

The golf courses of Maui are known for their spectacular scenery, and their high green fees. Pukalani Country Club offers travelers the opportunity that so many locals take advantage of - a great Maui course with a price tag of just $60. Sitting 1,200 feet up the slopes of Haleakala, a 10,000-foot dormant volcano, Pukalani gives golfers great weather, a good challenge and all they expect from a Maui course, for less money.

Full story | Overcome fairway wood phobia with simple drills

Golf SUV part of campaign to
help make Vancouver more accessible

With stellar courses like Westwood Plateau, Mayfair Lakes, Furry Creek and more, Vancouver has the making of a great golf destination. The problem, Chris Baldwin writes, is that these courses are spread out and not instantly known. And that's a difficult combination. To solve this dilemma, several area courses came together to bring visiting business executives and vacationers the Vancouver Golf Shuttle, an easy way to hit the links: golf's version of the drunk bus.

Full story | High gas prices causing changes in golf travel plans