While Korean golfers have been taking top spots in international tournaments for many years, there is now some more good news for local golf fans. The biannual Presidents Cup, first held in 1994, is set to take place next year in Songdo, Incheon's newest business district.

Adding even more meaning to this special occasion, President Park Geun-hye has accepted the position as Honorary Chairperson of the Presidents Cup 2015, upon the invitation made by PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem and related sponsors at a recent visit on November 4 to Cheong Wa Dae.

This will be the first time the cup takes place in Asia, and the president is only the second female chairperson, after Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard in 2011.

Korean golfers who have taken part in previous Presidents Cups include Choi Kyung-ju, known as K. J. Choi overseas, Yang Yong-eun and Kim Kyeong-tae.

The Presidents Cup 2015 will be a six-day tournament running from October 6 to 11, 2015, at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in the new Songdo business district, part of Incheon. According to organizers, approximately one billion households from 225 countries and territories worldwide will have access to the tournament's broadcast in 30 languages.

The Presidents Cup is hosted by the U.S. PGA Tour. Each of the two teams is composed of 12 players: one from the U.S. and then an International Team representing the rest of the world, excluding Europe. Alternating every year with the Ryder Cup, where the U.S. competes against Europe, it's considered to be one of the two world golf competitions.

President Park Geun-hye (fourth from left) takes part in a group photo with Presidents Cup 2015 organizers and related officials and the trophy itself on November 4 at Cheong Wa Dae. (photo: Cheong Wa Dae)

Commemorative coins will be offered to those making early reservations, and applications to the coin event start today. More details are available at the ticket seller's homepage (http://ticket.interpark.com/Global/Play/Event/Presidents/Event.asp).

Up to date information about Presidents Cup 2015 preparations and details on how to place reservations will be made available at the official website (http://www.presidentscup.com/) and at the Korean site (http://2015presidentscup.com/).

By Paik Hyun
Korea.net Staff Writer
cathy@korea.kr