San Francisco won big with hosting the 2009 Presidents Cup. The hotels are happy, the golfers are happy and the management of Harding Park Golf Course is ecstatic.

The opening ceremonies took place Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 7) with former Presidents Clinton and George H. W. Bush in attendance. Practice rounds started Tuesday, the only day photos were allowed. I walked in the gate and immediately saw co-captain Michael Jordan sauntering down the fairway with Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker. Michael was the only person allowed to smoke a cigar on the course no doubt.

Adding to the excitement, the Blue Angels are in town for Fleet Week, and you may even catch a glimpse of them as they begin their survey flights and practice in the skies over San Francisco starting on Thursday afternoon.

With a sagging convention and hotel business, the people coming in from other locales such as Texas and Europe (both very foreign) to see the US team challenge the International Team are giving a real boost to the local economy.

And for those of you non-golfers, the International Team is any golfer who qualified who is NOT from Europe. And they get no winnings, other than a LOT of free clothes, golf bags, stuff and hopefully bragging rights. Oh, and they get to donate to their local charity.

Follow the Presidents Cup standings, news and analysis on the official website and stay tuned. It is rumored that President Obama may attend the closing ceremony on Sunday, the 11th.


Posted by:Judy LeMarr