Golf in 2016 Olympics?

[UMass922]

It could happen. It will be put to an IOC vote in October:

http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/pga/news;_ylt=Ai1iNIUlvCOqUy36_OI2zl4ogsUF?slug=ap-olympics-golf&prov=ap&type=lgns

[89Hen]

xnonono2x Stoopid IMO and I'm a golfer.

[TexasTerror]

Golf was a relatively cheap sport to add to the Olympic slate compared to the other sports offered up as potential additions and it is played worldwide. This was a no brainer...

Not sure on the other likely addition...

[phoenixphanatic21]

xnonono2x Stoopid IMO and I'm a golfer.

My thoughts exactly.

[GannonFan]

The Olympics, over the past few decades, has been all about trying to be the premier sporting event and to have the best athletes in every sport there. If they have a chance to get Tiger Woods into the Olympics, there's no doubt that will happen. One of the reasons (among many) why baseball was dropped was that baseball didn't send the best players in the world as all the MLB players stayed home. If you have the megastars of the sport come, the Olympics will let the sport in.

[Cobblestone]

Golf in 2016 Olympics? xlolx

xnonox xnonox xnonox xnonox xnonox xnonox xnonox xnonox xnonox xnonox

[appfan2008]

I would love to see it... it is a sport played all over the world!

[GannonFan]

I would love to see it... it is a sport played all over the world!

But you already see it, basically every week during the year anyway. Why would seeing a weekend called the Olympics be much different than a week called the Bridgestone Open? Same guys playing the same game, and often on the same courses. Now they just get medals for winning as opposed to really big checks (although they'll get those in additional sponsor monies, I'm sure).

[appfan2008]

But you already see it, basically every week during the year anyway. Why would seeing a weekend called the Olympics be much different than a week called the Bridgestone Open? Same guys playing the same game, and often on the same courses. Now they just get medals for winning as opposed to really big checks (although they'll get those in additional sponsor monies, I'm sure).

It would be totally different... you will be playing for your country instead of yourself... and it would be part of the olympics... that would be totally awesome in my opinion

[GannonFan]

It would be totally different... you will be playing for your country instead of yourself... and it would be part of the olympics... that would be totally awesome in my opinion

Tennis has never really blossomed as an Olympic sport, and that's one of the closest comparisons. Sure they're glad to be there, but the play has been completely forgettable.

Now, if they change the format, and make it more of a team game rather than a simple 72-hole single stroke every man for himself game, then I'm with you (although don't they already have a two-man team tournament where the guys are grouped by country?).

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

If they did some sort of Ryder Cup deal i think they would have something. I agree that an individual medel event would be boring. Some of the course would could be quite interesting and different, which would make it morere interesting to watch.

[GannonFan]

If they did some sort of Ryder Cup deal i think they would have something. I agree that an individual medel event would be boring. Some of the course would could be quite interesting and different, which would add something.

The course thing could be tough though - some of these locales, potentially, could have courses that are pretty straight forward and easy. Sure, courses in Europe or America could present some great challenges and great venues, but you put the Olympics in Brazil (Rio) and what do they have there?

[OhioHen]

Tennis has never really blossomed as an Olympic sport, and that's one of the closest comparisons. Sure they're glad to be there, but the play has been completely forgettable.

Now, if they change the format, and make it more of a team game rather than a simple 72-hole single stroke every man for himself game, then I'm with you (although don't they already have a two-man team tournament where the guys are grouped by country?).

How about a combination format?

Each country gets one man and one woman.

Qualifying - two rounds of straight golf. Top half of men's field and top half of women's field qualify to the weekend. To proceed to the weekend, BOTH have to finish in the top half of their respective fields.

Medal rounds - Saturday is best ball, top half of field qualifies to Sunday, which is alternate shot. Best three scores on Sunday win the medals.

[89Hen]

If they did some sort of Ryder Cup deal....
That's the problem. The Ryder Cup, US Open, British Open, Masters... will ALWAYS be the biggest stage for golf. Same for tennis and soccer. None of those should be in the Olympics.