South Korean golfer KJ Choi said that this year's
Presidents Cup in Incheon "will not only spur the growth of golf in South
Korea, it will encourage other Asian nations to bring the tournament to
their shores and boost the sport's popularity throughout the region," according to Peter Rutherford of REUTERS. The U.S. has won eight of the 10 Presidents Cups played since the biennial competition was established in '94 and "will be heavy favourites for this year's contest, which is the first to be hosted by an Asian country." Choi said, "This will bring big changes to golf not just in Korea, but all around Asia. The Korean golf community will embrace the tournament and hopefully more young kids will start dreaming about playing golf and reaching the top. Also, other countries in Asia will attempt to host the Presidents Cup in the future, which will lead to the elevation of the game in the region" (REUTERS, 5/19).
NIGHT GOLF: In London, Paul Forsyth wrote "floodlit golf?" Don’t laugh. They were at it last weekend "on the eve of the Turkish Airlines Ladies Open." Scottish golfer Carly Booth was one of four players who "ventured out after dark and took to the 18th fairway at the Carya Golf Club, home to 'the first and only lighted course in Europe.'" Of course, "it was a publicity stunt," but among the jokes and the photo opportunities "was a serious point." If women’s golf, indeed any golf, is to raise its profile at a time when participation is in decline, "it needs to explore every avenue, every slot on the media schedule." If that means "digging out the driver when the sun goes down, so be it." The Ladies European Tour "is dipping its toes in the water with this one." It "is an experiment, a bit of fun, but the word is that a full-scale, floodlit 72-hole strokeplay event is not out of the question." If it happens, Booth "sounds as though she will be first in the queue to take part." She said, "That would be pretty epic" (LONDON TIMES, 5/19).
