55th World Cup of Golf Set for This Week

Three years into its 12-year tenure at China's Mission Hills Golf Club, the World Cup of Golf has recovered much of its old stature and romance. Dr. David Chu, the chairman of Mission Hills, has rekindled the event's early ideals and made it a unique event on the world golf calendar. The event will be played November 26-29 on China Hills' Olazabal Course.

One of the beautiful holes at Mission Hills’ Olazabal Course.

Dr. Chu has a vision for golf that jibes with that of the late John Jay Hopkins, the founding father of the World Cup. Known as the Canada Cup from 1953 to 1966, Hopkins saw golf as "a civilized and civilizing" pursuit and one which could promote international goodwill.

In 1957, defending champions Ben Hogan and Sam Snead brought immense crowds to Tokyo. But the Japanese team, relative newcomers to the sport, stole the show when Koichi Ono and Pete Nakamuru came out on top. Hopkins passed away shortly before the event, but Fred Corcoran, the World Cup's Tournament Director, knew exactly what he'd have thought about the results.

An aerial view of the Olazabal Course.

"If," said Corcoran, "I had any doubts about Hopkins' sincerity and the soundness of his doctrine, Tokyo erased them. It was hard to believe, watching the teams chatting easily on the first tee, that many of these nations had been at war only a few years earlier."

Overnight, Japan became a nation of golf fanatics and Ono and Nakamuru became national heroes. In 1956 alone, no fewer than 20 new courses were rolled out across the country and the first double-decker driving range shot up in Tokyo.

When Argentina won in 1953 at Beaconsfield G.C. in Canada, it was one of only seven two-man teams. The event would gain steam through the 1960s and 70s, becoming a "must play" tournament for the world's best players. However, its status soon began to dwindle.

Today, thanks to Dr. Chu's leadership, there are 28 teams vying to place their names on the original John Jay Hopkins trophy. Eighteen teams qualified automatically, while another nine are drawn from qualifying events in Europe, Asia and Latin America. The field is rounded out by the host nation, China. Once again, the World Cup is close to realizing its vast potential.

By offering the event a 12-year home at Mission Hills, Dr. Chu has made his own distinct contribution to its lore. Twelve, he has explained, is a special number in China, one which signifies the 12 years in the Chinese horoscope and the completion of a cycle.

Meanwhile, his picture of the world swinging in unison is evolving all the time. Consider . . .

* When Y.E. Yang, who is competing in this year's championship, became the first Asian player to capture a major at the 2009 PGA Championship, the celebrations were not confined to Asia.

* Over in Montreal, there was a day-long celebration which attracted in excess of 200 golfers from the city's South Korean community.

* Where was the celebration held? At the Beaconsfield G.C., the World Cup's original home.

For live updates, visit http://worldcup.pgatour.com.