Golf & Olympics 2016 12:00, 14/07/2016

Olympics 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is welcoming golf back after more than a century. Here are some shares of golf expert Lars Holden about the event.

REACTION

The decision to have Golf included in the Olympics has always been strongly debated. Sections of the Golf Industry have supported and rallied for its inclusion while other groups have no interest in it being included in the Olympics and are offering very little support.
Golf has always been about the four Majors held yearly: The Masters, US Open, British Open and USPGA. Players have spent their careers around achieving a win in one of these four events, however this year the Olympics has been added to the list. You would never find a leading player withdrawing from a major unless they were injured or had serious issues to deal with, however we have already seen a number of the world’s best players stating they will not be participating in the Olympics. I think this shows how split opinions are on Golf in the Olympics.

REASONS

Golf returns to the Olympics this year due to the hard lobbying of some of the leading administrators of the game. Tim Finchem from the US Tour has led the push and is very much in favor of the game as an Olympic Sport. Once would assume that they feel that having golf in the Olympics can assist in creating wider exposure, new players and help grow the game.

FORMAT

Golf will be played over 72 holes, stroke play format, for both Men and Women, with ties for Gold, Silver and Bronze been settled through a three hole play-off. A maximum of 60 players are eligible with two players form each country to represent unless that country has more than two players in the top 15 in the world. In this case a country such as America could have up to four players (maximum) if they are all in the top fifteen in the world.

QUALIFICATION

The qualification is based on official world rankings. The Olympic Committee wants as many countries participating as possible so two players from each country can participate depending on their official World Rankings positions.

REPUTATION

I don’t think that the Olympics represents the same achievement as winning one of the four Majors. Golfs Majors will always be the Big Four and having golf in the Olympics does not change this. With players such as Adam Scott and Rory Mcllroy already declaring they are not participating in the Olympics and a number of world class players being ineligible, the field will not be as strong as a Major. That said, whoever wins Gold at the Olympics will be extremely proud of achieving a Golf Medal at an Olympic Games by representing their country.

PRIZE

The prize for winning the Olympics in any given sport, golf included, is the Gold Medal and the chance to represent your country in what is the biggest sports event in the world. However any player winning Gold can be assured of receiving future endorsements and even financial benefits.

IMPACT

Its unknown whether the inclusion of golf in the Olympics will represent increased participation in the sport moving forward. It will no doubt increase the awareness of the sport as it has been a major talking point since it was added to the Olympic Games. However my personal feeling is that it will be forgotten very quickly and the game will quickly get back to its professional routes and the four majors.
In finishing I am sure that the Olympic 72 Hole Golf Tournament will be an amazing spectacle. It will be played at a stunning new links course in Brazil and will be watched be billions. This can only be good for the game.