The countdown has begun!
Next Oct. 1-6, the eyes of the world will be upon Dublin as international golfers tee it up at Muirfield Village Golf Club for The Presidents Cup 2013.
The Presidents Cup is a biennial golf tournament designed to give the world’s best non-European golfers an opportunity to compete in international team competition. Fred Couples will captain the U.S. team, while Nick Price will captain the International team.
As host community, Dublin will become the only city in the world to have hosted The Solheim Cup, The Ryder Cup and now The Presidents Cup – and all at Muirfield Village Golf Club.
2013 marks the 10th year for The Presidents Cup, and Muirfield Village Golf Club will become the third U.S. course where the event has been played. Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Prince William County, Va., hosted in 1994, 1996 and 2000, and in 2009, the event took place at Harding Park Golf Course in San Francisco.
“The excitement for The Presidents Cup will no doubt build throughout the year,” said Dan Sullivan, The Presidents Cup tournament director. “For the past 38 years, Muirfield Village Golf Club has partnered with the City of Dublin to stage the world-renowned Memorial Tournament.
“Now, in 2013, we will not only have the opportunity to work with Dublin to stage the Memorial, but will have the pleasure of partnering to host The Presidents Cup. Jack Nicklaus envisioned Muirfield Village Golf Club as a place that represented his love for the game of golf, but also a place that could bring tremendous value to Dublin and the Columbus region through the hosting of international events. Jack’s role in growing the prominence of The Presidents Cup is unquestioned, and we are fortunate that we will be able to contribute to his legacy by hosting the 2013 event. Next October will be an incredible opportunity to showcase our great community and witness a spectacular international golf competition.”
Unlike at many other events, Presidents Cup players do not receive prize money based on performance. Instead, the PGA TOUR pledges to contribute to charities nominated by the players, captains and captains’ assistants from both teams. Since, 1994 contributions have totaled more than $27 million.
Economic Impact and Exposure
The PGA TOUR and Muirfield Village Golf Club expect the total community impact to include more than 150,000 golf fans in attendance, contributing $50 million in economic impact to the region. There is a potential for 10,000 to 12,000 hotel room nights to be booked during the week.
The Presidents Cup will attract more than 600 domestic and international media representatives. The event will be broadcast to a national and international audience of 200 countries and territories over 16 international television networks through 26 hours of live golf coverage over four days to 600 million households.
Events such as The Presidents Cup not only put Dublin in the international spotlight, they also provide additional benefits through travel and tourism, business development, and image enhancement.
This was evident when the City of Dublin was named the World’s Best Festival & Event City by the International Festivals & Events Association. The City was one of two in the world to receive The Most Outstanding Global Festival & Event City. Dublin was honored for our collaborative community efforts, our world-class parks and amenities, and the internationally-recognized Dublin Convention and Visitors Bureau. We also were acknowledged for events like the Memorial Tournament and the renowned Dublin Irish Festival and also for our ability to bring tournaments like The Presidents Cup to town.
Community Involvement
As excitement builds for the event, the City of Dublin has hosted town hall meetings to get input from residents, businesses and community organizations on the best way to roll out the welcome mat and showcase Dublin, Greater Columbus and the State of Ohio as a world-class destination.
The City is developing a number of complementary event concepts that could be held in conjunction with The Presidents Cup, in order to replicate the kind of energy that Dublin is famous for during the Irish Festival.
Some of the initial ideas that have been presented focus on Dublin’s reputation as a hospitable community as well as a community that is proud to showcase green space, public art and overall vibrancy. You will see enhanced gateway features, international flags and more.
An ambassador program will be available through a partnership with the Dublin Convention and Visitors Bureau. Presidents Cup lapel pins, official flags and merchandise will be available for purchase. And on Thursday, Oct. 3, the focus will be on Dublin – beyond Muirfield Village Golf Club – as we have been given the opportunity to create events, programs and activities as part of the week’s formal off-course activities.
Trophy Tour
As part of the official launch and celebration, The Presidents Cup 2013 Trophy Tour began in October at BriHi Square in Historic Dublin. Residents and visitors joined Dublin City Council and PGA TOUR officials to hear about the tournament and take photos with the trophy.
The trophy has made stops at Ohio Stadium during an Ohio State University football game and traveled to Denver, where the City of Dublin was honored as a World Festival & Event City by the International Festivals & Events Association in September.
The trophy tour will also include stops at the Emerald Celebration, the State of the City Address, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and more.
Spotlight on Dublin
“Next year, the spotlight of the world of golf once again will shine brightly on Muirfield Village Golf Club while showcasing the City of Dublin and the State of Ohio,” Mayor Tim Lecklider said. “We are proud to welcome The Presidents Cup to our community, and invite everyone to join us in experiencing the excitement, the majesty and the prestige that surround this global event.”
For more information, visit www.DublinOhioUSA.gov or www.PresidentsCup.com.
