A Dream Becoming Reality: Golf in the Olympic Games

The Olympics has it all. Michael Phelps’ record breaking eight gold medals in 2008. The USA hockey team’s Cinderella-story victory over the Russians during the Cold War. Kerri Strug landing a vault on a battered ankle to secure the gold for the USA gymnastics team in 1996. Tiger Woods’ come-from-behind victory over Adam Scott to win a gold medal for the American golf team? Well, the Olympics have almost everything, but maybe not for long. The most highly anticipated international sport competition excludes one of the most international competitive sports: golf. Since 1904, when the summer Olympic games were held in St. Louis, MO, golf has been absent from the storied games. Popular from the Americas to Asia and back again, golf has proven to be admired in almost every economic and political environment; they even play the game in Antarctica. How then, can the oldest and greatest athletic competition prevent golfers from showcasing their talent in such a prestigious event? The answer will be presented in October at 121st International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Copenhagen, Denmark. Although many of the other sports up for consideration are worthy, the sheer international presence of the game and the benefits to be reaped from becoming an Olympic event make golf the most deserving sport.

In October, the IOC, aside from deciding where to hold the 2016 Summer games, will select two new sports from a short list of seven candidates. The sports up for consideration are baseball, softball, squash, karate, roller skating, rugby sevens, and of course, golf. After a failed attempt for inclusion in the 2012 games, the International Golf Federation (IGF) has significantly boosted its campaign efforts this time around. In February of this year, the IGF submitted a 76-page questionnaire to the IOC, making the bid official for consideration. Though the application has been processed before, this is the first time the IGF has had full support from the top US and international golf associations. To gain support, the IGF created the Olympic Golf Committee, comprised of the world’s seven leading golf organizations, the LPGA, the Masters Tournament, the PGA European Tour, PGA of America, the PGA TOUR, the R&A, and the USGA. United commitment like this has never been seen before from these organizations (questionnaire cover page).

The proposed format for the new event involves 60 players from around the world for the men’s and women’s respective competitions to play a 72-hole stroke play tournament, a set-up similar to the major tournaments played in each major tour. According to the press release, the field will be selected based on the official world golf rankings. The top 15 players will be selected regardless of their country. The remaining field “would be eligible based on world ranking, with a maximum of two available players from each country that does not already have two or more players among the top 15.” The PGA TOUR has already invested a great deal in gaining support for the game’s bid. A series of short videos with the games top male and female athletes, including Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Paula Creamer, Annika Sorenstam, and Ernie Els, began airing on TV and have thousands of views on YouTube. And, in a bold statement, the Tour has agreed to move the Major tournament schedule as needed around the Olympics. That means we could be watching the PGA championship in November! Furthermore, grass roots efforts, like Golf in 2016 are bolstering support for the movement. This group has rallied sponsors and fans around the IGF bid for inclusion in the games.

Obviously, as a huge fan, I maintain a bias on the subject. For years I have participated in debates with friends and family on this very subject. First of all, the game can benefit greatly from becoming an Olympic sport. A recent study showed that many developing and smaller countries only invest in Olympic sports. That being said, one can assume the game will become even more prevalent abroad if the IOC accepts its bid. If smaller countries appropriate money to build golf courses, we will see the sport blossom. Secondly, I believe it will open the world’s eyes (and mostly all the nay-sayers out there) that watching a round of golf on TV can actually be exciting.

Currently, golf does not have a well put together, truly international competition. Now, I know many will argue that the Presidents Cup, which invites the top international players to compete against the top US golfers, or the Ryder Cup, a competition between the top US and European professionals which began in 1927, suffice as international competitions. I disagree. Each year, more and more players from outside the US or Europe climb up the world rankings. The US only holds 6 spots in the top 15 in the world; no longer should we take on the world in these events. The Olympics would be a perfect way for lesser-known golfing countries, like India (Jeev Milkha Singh – see picture at left) and Argentina (Andres Romero), to show their prowess in the sport. There exists an opportunity here for something great. Golf has waited long enough and has proved itself as a major international sport worthy of the Olympic games. And, after the scandals at the Beijing games with suppression of free speech and 13 year-old gymnasts, the Olympics could use a sport with some integrity.