Johann Rupert, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tim Finchem.

$210,000 donated to program

Combined donations from the players, Captains, Captains' Assistants and the PGA TOUR have amounted to $210,000 in donations to the South African Golf Development Board [SAGDB] on behalf of The Presidents Cup to help fund its programs in growing the game in South Africa.

The donation was made Wednesday by PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem, Gary Player, International Team Captain in last year's Presidents Cup, and U.S Team Captain, Jack Nicklaus, to Johann Rupert, honorary president of the SAGDB.

"I am pleased that my Presidents Cup team members and I were able to make significant contributions toward the continued growth of the South African Golf Development Board for underprivileged golfers and delighted that Johann Rupert, chairman of the Sunshine Tour, has agreed to match this contribution," said Player.

"One way to grow the game is to showcase to the world golf at its finest, and that was accomplished during last year's Presidents Cup," said United States Team Captain Jack Nicklaus. "Another way is to reach out to the youth and provide them opportunities to learn and appreciate the game.

"With the significant charitable dollars being contributed by the players and their respective teams, it is good to know that the impact will be felt in South Africa for many years and golf is once again the winner."

The 2003 Presidents Cup generated $2.8 million in proceeds to be distributed to charities around the world. This brings the total contributed over the first five playings of The Presidents Cup to $10.05 million.

"The 2003 Presidents Cup exemplified what this event is all about in terms of competition and sportsmanship," said Finchem. "But, more importantly, it continued its most important mission, benefiting worldwide charities.

"It is especially rewarding that a portion of the proceeds were able to stay in the country with the aim of developing golf's next generation of champions."

The 2003 Presidents Cup was played in November at The Links Course at Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estates in George, South Africa. The United States and International Teams agreed to share the trophy at the matches ended in a 17-17 deadlock. The sudden-death playoff between the United States' Tiger Woods and Ernie Els of the International Team went three holes before the teams agreed to share the Cup.

Unique in that players do not play for a purse, each Presidents Cup participant designates his portion of the tournament's proceeds to worthwhile causes worldwide.