i'm curious for those who have been, whether the president's cup is a good event from a spectator standpoint. by this i mean is the course too crowded to really see anything given the limited number of players/matches going on at any point in time, or do they limit the number of spectators accordingly. i've been to the masters which is an amazing spectator event since tickets are pretty limited in number, and other golf events like the us open where there are zillions of people around but at least play is going on all over the golf course..

so is it worth it and will we be able to see anything? it looks like there are lots of tickets around for the upcoming event in san fran where i live. i love the format, but if you can't see it's not much fun.

thanks

I live in San Rafael, not far from Harding. At first I was really excited when I learned the President's Cup was coming to the area. When it came to purchasing tickets, I hesitated. With only 24 players (12 each side) the ratio of gallery to each match could be unmanageable. Add to that, a number of holes (bordering street or Lake Merced) can only accomodate gallery on one side of the hole, which could make it even worse.

So on the one hand I don't want to deal with the hassle and on the other I don't want to miss an event that may not return to the Bay Area for a long, long time.

Eventually I bought two tickets for Saturday. Why Saturday? It's the only day with a very early start. 36 holes with first match at 7:30am. Gates open at 6:30am and that's when I'll be there. All the other days, the players go off much later. I hope my "early bird gets the worm" strategy pays off.

It looked insane last year. i wish I could get off work that week and I would drive the 7 hours north to see it.

i didn't realize about the early saturday start...that might make it more attractive, although getting a teenage boy (and wife) out of bed that early is a 'challenge' to say the least..thanks.

I have been to the President's Cup twice, both times in Washington D.C., and I must say that it is very enjoyable. I have also been to regular tour events as well and I must say I enjoyed the President's Cup more.

The reason being, you know where the action is and you can't miss it. With a regular tour event there could be action anywhere over eighteen holes. With the President's Cup the action is contained to four holes at a time for the first couple of days. Yes, the crowds are a little heavier around those holes but no different than a regular tour event in my opinion. The crowds are the same as you would expect following a big name at an event. Most holes are lined by spectators. You can always jump ahead and see the groups come thru. Jump ahead again and see them all again. You can do this multiple times on the course.

Overall, it is a cool experience and I would not pass up the opportunity.

i think we are going on saturday. the early start should give us at least a few hours of reasonable crowds. pretty easy for us to get to the course as well as they are running shuttles from the public transit stop nearby. tickets are pretty widely available. i'm picking up a pair for below face today, and will need to snag a single ticket before the event...otherwise my wife can't accompany me, only my son. ti will be a good contrast relative to the open we attended this wet summer in ny!!

It will be great and I think you made a wise choice going for the early times. Gates open at 6:30am, first match off at 7:35....Tiger should be on the range somewhere in between and we might actually get to see him go through his routine. Had a similar situation (early times) at the WGC there in 2006(?) and my wife and I watched him go through the bag warming up. Very cool.

I am traveling from New Mexico to visit my daughter who lives in Pacific Heights and got tickets for Friday and Saturday. I didn't get a parking pass so what is the public transportation deal? Thanks

Take the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) to the Daly City station. Free Shuttles provided from there. Also the Muni-L will go to 46th (end of the line), where a free shuttle also operates continuously. Have fun.