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  THE PRESIDENTS CUP 2009 HARDING PARK GOLF COURSE SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA OCTOBER 5-11, 2009  
 
 The Presidents Cup is played every two years and pits the U.S. team against the International team. The Presidents Cup, which will be played for the eight time in 2009, was developed to give the world’s best non-European players an opportunity to compete in international team match-play competition. International Team players are chosen on the basis of the Official World Golf Ranking. The eligibility rankings are used to select 10 members for both squads. There are two Captain’s Choices who round out each 12-man team
The first Presidents Cup was played Sept. 16-18, 1994 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. The United States Team, captained by Hale Irwin, defeated the International side of David Graham, 20-12. The 1998 Presidents Cup was played Dec. 11-13 at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia. The International Team won 20.5-11.5. Nicklaus served as Captain of the U.S. Team, while Thomson repeated his role for the International Team.
In 2000, The Presidents Cup returned to Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, with the United States avenging its 1998 loss with a 21.5-10.5 victory over the International Team. Thomson captained the International Team for a third time, while Ken Venturi was victorious in his debut.
The 2003 Presidents Cup was originally scheduled for November 2002, but was postponed one year in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.
In 2003 at The Links at Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estate in George, South Africa, The Presidents Cup ended in a tie. After both teams ended regulation tied at 17 points, Ernie Els of the International Team and Tiger Woods of the United States were designated to represent their teams in a sudden-death playoff. After three playoff holes, and as darkness was descending, Captains Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus, in the spirit of the competition, decided that the two teams would share the cup.
In 2005, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player returned as Captains, and the matches were held once again at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. The tie from 2003 was broken with an 18.5 to 15 U.S. victory. Chris DiMarco holed a 15- foot, birdie putt on the 18th hole of his singles match to win 1 up and clinch the U.S. victory.  The 2007 Presidents Cup was held in Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Quebec. Team captains were Jack Nicalaus for U.S and Gary Player for the International Team. The U.S team won with 19.5 - 14.5 International.
The spotlight next falls on Harding Park in San Francisco the week of Oct 5-11, 2009, where the Presidents Cup will take place. Captains will be Greg Norman for the International Team and Fred Couples for the U.S This will mark the first time the U.S. is the host country and the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Prince William County, VA is not the venue
The Presidents Cup competition consists of 34 matches — 11 foursomes and 11 four-ball matches. There are 12 singles matches involving all players on the final Sunday. All matches are worth one point each, for a total of 34 points.
As is the case with virtually all activity involving the PGA TOUR, charity is the ultimate winner of The Presidents Cup. There is no purse for the players. Net revenues are divided into equal shares that the players and Captains designate for charities or golf-related projects of their choice and contributions in their names are made through PGA TOUR Charities, Inc.
 Harding Park Municipal Golf Course, was originally built in 1925 along the shores of Lake Merced, in the southwestern corner of San Francisco. Beginning in the spring of 2002, an extensive improvement process was undertaken to restore the famed 163-acre course layout to world-class standards. The renovation project included the construction of a new clubhouse and maintenance facility, as well as the renovation of two golf courses and parking lot. The original 1925 clubhouse was in a state of disrepair, and construction of a new facility became one of the top priorities of the renovation project. The new clubhouse is a 20,000 square foot building, constructed as a two-story structure with a third sub-level. The structure includes a pro shop, a restaurant and kitchen facilities, event rooms, offices and storage.
The clubhouse renovation was completely designed and managed by members of the Department of Public Works project teams. Construction of the clubhouse was divided into two phases in order to expedite the project. The first phase included site grading and construction of the basement level and the steel superstructure. The second phase included the remainder of the interior spaces and the installation of planting and irrigation surrounding the building.
The Harding Park Municipal Golf Course project was completed on-time and was upheld to the standards of the Professional Golf Association (PGA) in order to host the American Express Golf Championship in October 2005. The American Golf Championship is one of four World Golf Championships, drawing top players from around the world. The renovation of the clubhouse and other facilities was made possible in part by an agreement between the PGA and a group of concerned local citizens. The agreement secured Harding Park Golf Course five PGA tournaments over a 15 year span upon project completion. Each of these events is expected to infuse $50 million into the local economy.  San Francisco has an atmosphere of genteel chic mixed with offbeat innovation and a self-effacing quality. Its hilly streets provide some gorgeous glimpses of the sparkling bay and its famous bridges. The treats of San Francisco are wonderful food, sparkling nightlife and those glorious views - are there for everyone. Watch the white fog fill the Golden Gate as the sunset lights up the windows across the bay, and prepare to leave your heart. Area Codes: The area code for San Francisco is 415
Banking Hours: Most banks are open Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm as well as Saturday morning. Many banks have ATMs for 24-hour banking access. Shopping Hours: Most stores are open Monday through Saturday from 10 or 11am to at least 6pm, with shorter hours on Sunday. But there are exceptions: Stores in Chinatown, Ghirardelli Square, and PIER 39 stay open much later during the tourist season, and large department stores, including Macy's and Nordstrom, keep late hours.
Earthquakes: Most of the region’s earthquakes you will never notice. But in the rare case of a significant earthquake, there are a few basic precautionary actions to take. If you are inside a building, don’t run outside. Stand in doorway or against a wall, and away from windows. If you exit a building after a strong quake, use the stairs, not elevators. If you are driving, pull over to the side of the road, stop and stay in the car -- but first get away from bridges and overpasses, telephone poles, and power lines. If you're outside, stay away from trees, power lines, and the sides of buildings. If you are in an area with tall buildings, take cover in a doorway.
Safety: San Francisco has its share of crime, but just be careful and attentive. Use extra caution, particularly at night, and navigate carefully in areas off the main paths for visitors, including Tenderloin, the Western Addition and the lower Fillmore area (south of Japantown), the Mission District (especially around 16th and Mission Streets, around lower Haight Street, and around the Civic Center. And there are a large number of homeless people throughout the city, with concentrations in and around Union Square and the theater district west of Union Square, the Tenderloin, and Haight Street. Don’t be alarmed if you're approached for spare change, but aggressive panhandling is illegal, so use your own judgment and common sense.
Smoking: Smoking laws in San Francisco are very strict. Smoking is prohibited in restaurants, bars, stores, theaters, and most indoor areas. Ask your hotel before you book if they have smoking rooms and what their policy is.
Climate: San Francisco has a mild climate, with wet, mild winters and dry summers. In most months, you can expect the temperature be in the 60s or 70s degrees Fahrenheit (between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius). Be prepared for cool humid weather, even in the summer (except September), when persistent fog often envelops the city.
Visa Requirements: U.S visa must be obtained for South African passport holders.
Currency: U.S Dollar PRESIDENTS CUP 2009 PACKAGE OPTIONS AND INCLUSION - Return flights JNB / ATL / SFO / ATL / JNB on Delta Airlines, economy class
- Return airport/hotel transfers
- 3 nights accommodation at The Grand Hyatt San Francisco in a twin room
- Event tickets for the 2 final days of Presidents Cup 2009 at the Harding Park Golf Club
- Transportation between the hotel and tournament venue
- Access to Captains’ Club tournament tent (seating ….& beverage for purchase)
- Ground support by Golf Holidays personnel
- Return flights JNB / ATL / SFO / ATL / JNB on Delta Airlines, economy class
- Return airport/hotel transfers
- 5 nights accommodation at The Grand Hyatt San Francisco in a twin room
- 4 event tickets for Presidents Cup 2009 at the Harding Park Golf Club
- Transportation between the hotel and tournament venue
- Access to Captains’ Club tournament tent (seating area, TVs, food, & beverage for purchase)
- Ground support by Golf Holidays personnel
- Return flights JNB / ATL / SFO / ATL / JNB on Delta Airlines, economy class
- Return airport/hotel transfers
- 7 nights accommodation at The Grand Hyatt San Francisco in a twin room
- 6 day (2 practice rounds and 4 tournament days of the Presidents Cup at the Harding Park Golf Club
- Transportation between the hotel and tournament venue
- Access to Captains’ Club tournament tent (seating area, TVs, food & beverage for purchase)
- Ground support by Golf Holidays personnel
Rising 36 stories above Union Square, this sleek, contemporary hotel is 1 block from cable cars, 3 blocks from Westfield San Francisco Centre shopping mall, and 4 blocks from the Financial District. The Grand Hyatt is home to the acclaimed Grandviews Restaurant, a top-floor dining room with panoramic views of San Franciscy and the bay. Wireless Internet access is available throughout the hotel. Guestrooms feature Hyatt Grand Beds, including comfy Sealy Posturepedic mattresses. Floor-to-ceiling window with panoramic views. Private elevator access. 328 square feet. Wireless and wired high-speed Internet access (surcharge). Cable TV with video games (surcharge), pay movies, HBO. Bathroom with mini-TV, Portico toiletries, makeup/shaving mirror, shower/tub combination. Minibar, coffeemaker, well-lit desk, two phones (one cordless), complimentary newspaper delivery. Exclusive access to Regency Club Lounge on 32nd floor, including private concierge, complimentary Continental breakfast, complimentary hot and cold hors d'oeuvres each afternoon, honor bar, soft drinks, fresh fruit, comfortable seating, and views of the Coit Tower, Transamerica Pyramid, Alcatraz, and other landmarks.  What to expect: With a prime location on Union Square, the Grand Hyatt buzzes with activity day and night. The heart of San Francisco shopping is right outside the front entrance. A brick-paved plaza connecting the hotel with Levi's flagship store features a wonderful fountain sculpted with whimsical scenes of the city. Inside, the lobby sets a stylish tone with exquisite Chinese vases, soaring ceiling, and gleaming marble floor. Amenity highlights: High above the city on the hotel's 36th floor, Grandviews Restaurant and Lounge provides incredible views of the skyline, bay, and famous landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Wireless Internet access (surcharge) is available throughout the hotel. Self-service kiosks by the front desk allow guests to print their boarding passes and check in and out with ease. The well-equipped Hyatt Stay Fit Gym is open 24 hours a day.
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