The Presidents Cup International Team logo has been a game-changer since Ernie Els introduced it in 2018.
This week, as the Presidents Cup kicks off at Royal Montreal Golf Club, the logo is making appearances worldwide in posters, graffiti, and murals.
The black and gold shield can be seen in cities like Tokyo, Cape Town, and Melbourne with the motto “The Shield Unites Us,” encouraging fans to support the International team.
Logo’s Symbolism and Impact:
But this isn’t just about marketing. The logo represents a fresh identity for the team after many losses against the Americans. When Els took over from Nick Price in 2017, he wanted a new symbol to inspire his team following their crushing 19-11 defeat at Liberty National Golf Club.
Although they didn’t win in 2019, the logo stuck around and became part of their identity. Previously, they used a light-blue flag with five gold stars for each continent on the team. However, Els felt it was too similar to the European Ryder Cup logo.
Els’ manager Rob Goulet said back then that it didn’t feel powerful enough . So Els teamed up with artist Jeff Costa to create something new. They drew inspiration from military shield patches aiming for three elements: flags symbolizing golf and patriotism; a shield representing strength; and a Celtic knot for unity.
Fans might think this new look gives them hope for future victories!
Unveiled during the 2018 US Open week, this black and gold design quickly gained acceptance among players. Adam Scott mentioned how they needed something meaningful that came from within their ranks—Ernie being perfect for that role due to his long involvement with the Cup.
Current captain Mike Weir believes this logo still inspires them today. He said they understand how tough their challenge is but feel confident with global fan support behind them. Seeing their emblem pop up in places like Tokyo and Seoul has given them extra energy heading into Montreal this week.
Can they finally break America’s dominance? Their only victory was back in 1998! What do you think?
