I am absolutely thrilled that the probability of golf being reinstated as an Olympic sport is very high. It was previously in the 1904 Games with Canada as basically the only other country represented. There are so many great things that will come of this. We should all respect and appreciate the efforts (which were considerable) of the many who have attempted to make this process happen.
Now with the assistance and fortitude of the Royal & Ancient, PGA of America, the LPGA, the European PGA, Japanese, and too many other PGA’s to mention, it seems very likely.
So what’s with all the controversy? I think the key to all the hoopla is the selection process and format currently proposed. Golf has such a long and rich history, full of tradition and respect worldwide. Currently they are suggesting that the top 15 worldwide best players be exempt, 2 players from each of the 100+ possible countries, along with 72 hole stroke play format. This is what I believe is in question, after all, who doesn’t have thoughts about a better way to do this?
Here are a couple of points of contention, the US dominates golf. All of the best players in the world want to play on our tour. So how would we break it down to only having 2 players represent us? Tiger will be 40 years old (assuming he continues his charge), but who would fill the number 2 slot? With such a large number of the best players in the world representing the US, this might be a little tricky.
Another point often brought up, is that we already have the Ryder Cup. This supports my earlier comment, that in golf, it’s basically us against the rest of the world. But does the Ryder Cup format really give the opportunity for other countries to represent? I think not. I do enjoy the competition and the format(s), but it’s not the Olympics.
So let’s take the first issue and examine it a little further. It seems pretty easy to create a selection process to determine who the top 2 players in each country are and have them represent right? Well, almost…
Yes, it should be a relatively simple process, if each country has only 2 players, but that brings us back to the format issue (assuming they only decide to have 2 players to begin with!) What about if we have a four man team?
No, because some countries may elect to have a country wide match play tournament to decide, others may choose a standard stroke play, etc. But what if the best player (for their country) is already playing on tour? Scheduling could be challenging here. So many golfers are streaky, or play better on certain courses. What about if a player is playing extremely well just a few weeks prior to the Olympics? Can the IOC standardize the selection process, would they want to? Don’t get me started on the equipment issue…
The second (of many) issues, format. Imagine watching four golfers shooting it out in a best ball, four man team. Each of the 4 players play their ball to the hole, at the end of the hole, the lowest score of the team is recorded. Golf is so fickle, you could have one player birdie, while another sprays it in the lake or misses the 3 footers and you can still root for the home team. This would bring an interesting team component to the sport. It would also allow other countries to have a better chance with a wider representation than that individual stroke play with only 2 players. You could still have medals for the folks who went the lowest too…
Another issue is the amateur status. Originally, the Olympics were supposed to be the best amateur athletes in the world, now with countries creating (and subsidizing athletes pre-birth!) this has become a fallacy. In order to find the best athletes anywhere, you have to look to professionals, because anyone who is good enough to become a pro now is, in almost any sport, but that is another issue for a future article…
In the end, if in October they do make it final, there is a lot to discuss; including which course(s) it would be played at.
Golf is the most wonderful and challenging sport in the world, let’s not overlook the forest for the trees. Olympic golf would be good for the game. The Olympic spirit reaches and often unites the hearts of all people throughout the world. As well in golf, this is true both as an experience and as a spectator sport.
Yes, I actually do look forward to your comments. Got anything to say? Don’t just tell me you agree or disagree, what are your ideas or comments? Let me know on the Rankmark discussion board.
Thanks,
Rankmark
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