2011 President's Cup To Melboune...But What Course?

To the readers in Australia, tell us where it should be played if Royal Melbourne is not the course...

The Presidents Cup to Return to Australia in 2011

(PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla.) — PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem today announced that the ninth staging of The Presidents Cup will be contested November 14-20, 2011, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Melbourne becomes the first city outside of the United States to host the prestigious match-play competition more than once, as the 1998 event was held at Royal Melbourne Golf Club. The host course for the 2011 Presidents Cup is expected to be named by the end of 2007.

“We are thrilled to be bringing The Presidents Cup back to Melbourne in 2011,” said Finchem. “Every player, fan and TOUR staff member who either attended or watched the 1998 Presidents Cup still vividly remembers the incredibly warm welcome extended to the participants and the first-class atmosphere Melbourne created. Melbourne’s government and citizens staged a superb competition then, and we are confident they will only exceed expectations when we return in four years. I know the world’s best golfers will look forward to another trip down under for this thrilling competition.”

The Presidents Cup, a team match-play competition featuring 24 of the world’s top golfers – 12 from the United States and 12 from around the world, excluding Europe – is held every two years, and since 1996 has alternated between United States and international venues. The Presidents Cup was developed to give the world's best non-European players an opportunity to compete in international team match-play competition. The U.S. Team has won four of the six previous Presidents Cups, and the only outright win by the International Team came at the 1998 event in Melbourne. The 2003 Presidents Cup ended in a tie.

“We are delighted to have secured the return of The Presidents Cup to Melbourne in 2011,” said Ben Sellenger, Chief Executive Officer, PGA TOUR of Australasia. “The impact of Australian players has been felt on golf tours around the world, and the staging of this prestigious event on the world renowned sand belt in Melbourne is a further reflection of the strength of our country in world golf. After a hugely successful Presidents Cup here in 1998, there is little doubt the excitement and anticipation for this event will build exponentially over the next four years, and the PGA TOUR of Australasia looks forward to fully supporting the return of The Presidents Cup in 2011 and continuing to bring world class golf to the Australian sporting public.”