2013 Presidents Cup: Let’s Get Ready To Rumble!

Now that the 2013 PGA Season is in the books, it’s time to get ready for the Presidents Cup. This tournament isn’t as rich in tradition and steeped in 100 years of history as the Ryder Cup, but any team golf competition gets my blood moving. I can’t wait! For those not familiar with the Presidents Cup, like the Ryder Cup, it is played on the odd years when there is not a Ryder Cup. Where the Ryder Cup is played between the US and the Europeans, The Presidents Cup is the US against the remainder of the world, or International Team.

This year’s Presidents Cup will be played on US soil at the Muirfield Village Golf Course in Dublin, Ohio. This is the home of the Golden Bear, Jack Nicklaus. The Memorial tournament is played here every year, and was won back in May by Matt Kuchar. It was Kuchar’s second win during the 2013 season.

I personally love team competition in a Match Play format. In the nine previous meetings since it’s inception in 1994, the US has dominated this event both at home, and abroad all but twice. Team USA lost in 1998 at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Melbourne Australia. Jack Nicklaus was our Captain, and Peter Thompson was the International Captain.

Captain Jack Nicklaus got his revenge in 2005, and 2007 by beating  Gary Player’s Team International both at home, and abroad. The International Team tied the event in 2003 when they played to a 17-17 tie in South Africa.

The 2013 teams are Captained by Fred Couples for Team USA, and Nick Price for Team International. This is Fred’s third time at the helm for team USA, and Nick Price’s first. Couples beat Greg Norman in 2009, and 2011. Team USA saw the return of Tiger Woods in 2011 at Royal Melbourne Golf Club and won 19-15 in a decisive victory.

FanSided, and Pro Golf Now will be spending quite a bit of time covering this event in the next week. I am very excited about the addition of new Rookie of the Year Jordan Spieth to the team, and am anxious to see how the youngster performs in team competition. He has extensive Walker Cup, and collegiate experience, and this tournament should groom a new young player for next year’s Ryder Cup, and Captain Tom Watson.

We will spend some time this week highlighting players from both sides, and look forward to the action that gets underway October 3rd. The opening ceremonies start on Tuesday with the first shot being struck on Friday. We will be providing a preview and TV schedule later in the week at FanSided. Stay Tuned!