MONTREAL (Reuters) - The economic and marketing benefits of the Presidents Cup may linger in Canada long after the final cheers have faded from the seventh edition held at the Royal Montreal Golf Club.
"The economic impact could reach $100 million (49 million pounds) this week," United States captain Jack Nicklaus said during the event's closing ceremony after his team beat the Internationals by 19-½
points to 14-½ on Sunday.
Should Nicklaus be proven right, the Cup's economic ripple effect would eclipse the Grand Prix of Canada Formula One race, also held in Montreal.
The Grand Prix typically produces some $80 million of revenue-generating power and has long been Canada's top draw in terms of direct economic benefits from a non-Olympic sporting or cultural event.
Nicklaus, International team captain Gary Player and PGA Tour officials were effusive in the praise for their Canadian hosts.
"Oh Canada. Oh Montreal. Oh Royal Montreal. Thank you for making this such a special week here," PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said.
That seal of approval translates into real dollars for the local economy, but also generates a wealth of publicity for Canada, Quebec and Montreal as an international tourist destination.
The four-day event -- which pits America's top 10 golfers and two captain's picks against an international contingent of top golfers, excluding those from Europe -- was broadcast live in some 140 countries.
Sunday's pairing of world number one Tiger Woods against Canadian Mike Weir, the 2003 Masters champion, was a public relations dream for Canadian tourism.
Canada and Weir were front-and-centre during hours of live television coverage replete with images of Quebec's crimson and gold autumn foliage. The drama culminated with the underdog Weir emerging victorious over Woods on the final hole.
GREAT BOOST
Even though the Internationals fell to the Americans, organisers say the whole spectacle was a great showcase for a country more easily identified with snow, ice and hockey.
"We came out here to give golf a great boost in this country," nine-times major winner Player said after the competition.
During his own glittering career, South African Player made a point of competing internationally as much as possible, setting the tone for contemporary players such as compatriot Ernie Els and Woods.
Player believes the Presidents Cup should be moved around the world to help promote the growth of golf.
"I think we should be going into China, I think we should be going into India and I think we should be going into Eastern Europe," he told a news conference at Royal Montreal. "That would be my great dream to see that."
The 2009 Presidents Cup will be contested in San Francisco with the 2011 edition set for Melbourne, Australia. Nicklaus would like countries such as South Korea and Argentina to host the biennial team competition in the future.
"Korea could handle the event, Argentina could handle the event," he said. "But you've got to look at the financial viability of it.
"It's an event that produces a lot of dollars and you're not going to take it some place just for the game of golf, yet. But that will happen, and it won't be that long."
In Montreal, corporations and spectators responded with 187 companies contributing sponsorship dollars and some 35,000 spectators showing up on each of the final two days.
The 24 players did their part by not being paid to compete.
Net revenues from the Cup at the Royal Montreal will be distributed to charities chosen by the players. In 2005, that amounted to $3.5 million, bringing the total since the Cup was inaugurated in 1994 to $13.5 million.
($1=0.99 Canadian)
