PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – The spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie that was so pervasive at the last Presidents Cup was front and center once again at the 2005 Opening Ceremonies here on the shores of Lake Manassas Thursday morning.

Both International Captain Gary Player and America’s Jack Nicklaus harkened back to their decision to halt the playoff between Tiger Woods and Ernie Els in South Africa without a winner, meaning the Presidents Cup ended in a 17-17 tie.

“Anyone who thought it wasn’t the right decision, wasn’t there,” said Nicklaus, his voice hoarse as he cleared his throat in an effort to keep his composure. “To see the fans walking away, arm-in-arm, chanting -- I still get choked up thinking about it.”

Nicklaus wasn’t the only one fighting his emotions as the anthems of the seven different nations represented by the 24 players on the International and United States teams were played. And when Irish tenor Ronan Tynan invited the crowd of 5,000 to join in singing “God Bless America” many surreptitiously wiped away tears.

The sun shone brightly in a cloudless sky over Robert Trent Jones Golf Club during the hour-long festivities. The wives -- the Internationals clad in Player’s trademark black with tan shawls, the Americans in red leather blazers, white shirts and blue pants -- came out first, led by former First Lady Barbara Bush. The members of the U.S. and International teams followed, the Americans in blue jackets and their opponents in tan.

President George W. Bush, the honorary chairman, was represented by the two Presidents who preceded him -- his father George H. Bush and Bill Clinton. The two spearheaded the effort to raise money to help the victims of last December’s deadly tsunami and now are concentrating on Hurricane Katrina relief closer to home.

“I am tired of people saying we are the odd couple,” Bush said as Clinton stood by his side. “Our work has nothing to do with politics and everything to do with people who are hurting real bad.”

Toward that end, the five previous Presidents Cups have raised more than $10 million for charities around the world. PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem announced that players had designated in excess of $1 million from this year’s event specifically for hurricane relief.

“I want to commend the commissioner and these players for their willingness to step up in times of need,” Bush said.

A fan waves flags during the opening ceremony of The Presidents Cup. (Martin/WireImage)

The specter of those tragedies tempered Nicklaus’ remarks as he implored the fans to remember that The Presidents Cup, however exciting it is sure to be, is just a game. Civil war memorials may be nearby, but this isn’t a battle and it’s hardly a war.

“Let’s not trivialize either by referencing a golf match in such a way,” Nicklaus said. ”So much has happened in our country and our world the last four years. As we know, this is the first Presidents Cup in the Washington, D.C., area since 9/11. We have young men and women fighting every day for the freedoms we enjoy today.

”We are only weeks removed from the devastation and tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, and perhaps only a day or so away from what we can only fear will be further devastation at the hands of Rita.

”Our thoughts and prayers are with those who still grieve every day over their losses the last four years or the last four weeks. Those thoughts alone should keep golf in perspective.

”This is a game, and this is a match that needs to be played in the spirit in which it was founded. It is a good will match, founded in sportsmanship. It is intended to be enjoyed by a global audience, with hopes that we can continue to grow the game around the world.”

The ceremony had its lighter moments, too. The 70-year-old Player asked for a mulligan when he referred to the 120,000 Australians on hand to greet Michael Campbell when he returned home with the U.S. Open trophy. The Kiwi took it all in stride.

Emcee Stone Phillips of “Dateline NBC” couldn’t resist taking a dig at the two former Presidents, one Republican and the other a two-term Democrat.

“I hear they have a bipartisan approach to the game,” Phillips said. “President Bush has been known to play from the blue tees, and I understand President Clinton has been known to venture into red-stake territory.”

The golf at The Presidents Cup this week, though, is sure to be a little played at a considerably higher level than the former first executives. And come Sunday -- no matter what happens -- the two teams will know they’ve been part of something significant.

“We started something wonderful in South Africa, and we have the opportunity to finish what we started and create our own memories this week,” said Nicklaus, who then walked over to shake hands with every member of the International Team.