SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - Upon receiving the Presidents Cup charter from Royal Montreal Golf Club representative Michael Richards, Mayor Gavin Newsom jokingly said “it’s ours to screw up.”

While it was just another light moment Thursday as the PGA Tour officially struck the drive counting down to the 2009 Presidents Cup at Harding Park Golf Course, the pressure is truly on San Francisco to build its golf image.

Following The City’s handling of a World Golf Championships event in 2005 — which featured 73 of the world’s best players and won by Tiger Woods — the PGA awarded the Presidents Cup to Harding Park, making it the first time the biennial event has been played on the West Coast. The other four times it has been played on U.S. soil, it was held at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club outside of Washington, D.C.

“The Presidents Cup is a bigger task, it’s a bigger event,” PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said. “It is global in nature. The telecast goes to 240 countries and 500 million homes. It represents the best in golf. It represents sportsmanship and includes the themes of patriotism and international goodwill.”

And charity. Players do not get paid for the competition, which alternates years with the more prestigious Ryder Cup. Instead, the PGA has contributed $17.75 million to charities worldwide selected by the participants.

While the 24 participants for the Americans and Internationals — non-Europeans who are not eligible for the Ryder Cup — are determined based on their performance through the 2009 PGA Championship (10 from each side qualify on points while there are two captain’s picks), the leaders of the teams have not been determined.

Jack Nicklaus and South African Gary Player have been widely hailed for their captainships and bringing a gentlemanly aspect to the event, which began in 1994.

Finchem was noncommittal about whether the two legends would return to their roles, only saying a decision would be coming in the next few weeks.

Hosting the event brought an estimated $85 million to the Montreal economy last year, filling up all of the city’s hotel rooms and keeping the restaurants busy, Richards said.

When San Francisco hosted the WGC’s American Express Championship in 2005, The City lost $140,000 in expenses. That prompted Supervisor Sean Elsbernd to have San Francisco amend its agreement with the PGA to guarantee a shortfall would not happen again.

sdrumwright@examiner.com

Presidents Cup

» WHEN: Oct. 8-11, 2009

» WHERE: Harding Park Golf Course, par 71, 7,137 yards

» WHO: United States vs. International (non-Europeans)

» SERIES: U.S. leads 5-1-1

» TICKETS: Daily passes range from $35 to $75

» ON THE WEB: www.presidentscup.com

Other future major events

» 2010 U.S. Open, Pebble Beach Golf Links (June 17-20)

» 2010 Champions Tour’s Charles Schwab Cup, Harding Park (TBA)

» 2011 Champions Tour’s Charles Schwab Cup, Harding Park (TBA)

» 2012 U.S. Open, Olympic Club (June 13-16)

» 2013 PGA Tour’s BMW Championship (FedEx Cup finale), Harding Park (TBA)

Comments from Examiner Readers

2:31 PM MST on Thu., Oct. 4, 2007 re: "Always a fresh supply at Churchill"

Bronwen Iuen said:
Does anyone know anything about Kevin Dunleavy? If he's from Texas and about 29 then I think I was friends with him in high school (Klein). If anyone would know how to get in touch with him, that would be great. I tried calling but the lady I talked to didn't know anything about him. bronwen.iuen@gmail.com

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2:16 PM MST on Fri., Jul. 20, 2007 re: "With little help, Strang wins"

Examiner Reader said:
Mr.Dunleavy-A Baltimore boy, Church Waesche, won the 16-17 division of the Gorin on his 16th birthday and was the runner up in the Bobby Bowers last week. Any reason you continue to focus on the Washington region golfers instead of the Baltimore boys?

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3:28 PM MST on Wed., Jun. 13, 2007 re: "Wie�s uphill struggle continues"

grp of marin said:
Michelle should just be Michelle. A pro golfer and a college student. Break away from parental, sponsor, present managment domination and what the LPGA wants. Find her groove make her own decisions and RELAX! At 17 going on to 18 you are considered a young adult. It's time to break away from the nest and feel the air flutter her wings.

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4:37 PM MST on Mon., Jun. 11, 2007 re: "Wie�s uphill struggle continues"

Examiner Reader said:
even if she is going thru some swing changes can't she at least dress like a professional she looks like something from sex in the city, or a three old dressing up out of her mother's closet. some one help her please......

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3:03 AM MST on Mon., Jun. 4, 2007 re: "Gearing up for a very busy week at Bulle Rock"

Kelkyen said:
Did the rich people remember to have the cops in Aberdeen and HdG warn the bums and crackheads along route 40 to stay away?

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