Golf in the Olympic Games. The day has almost arrived where the sport returns. After over 100 years of being absent, the powers that be, have deemed it worthy to return to the games. Golfs governing bodies put forward their idea, that it would help grow the game. Question is will any one be really watching?
With the same old format of stroke play selected as the game, seen almost every week on both tours, it is potentially a lost opportunity to showcase the game. Formats which at least had competitors playing as a team, would have done wonders for the sport, rather than those playing individually. One of the competitors, Matt Kuchar, was surprised to find out he wasn’t in a teams event.
Another major factor, the decision from many top men’s players making themselves unavailable. Reasons varied from the Zika virus, crime activity and scheduling issues. Who could have envisaged so many of the top players pulling the pin, leaving a feeling of should golf have returned? This is not to say those attending are not worthy. Far from it in fact, as there are quite a few major winners in the field. Others who regularly appear at the top of leader boards on either the US or European Tour are also present.
More interesting is the fact that men’s golf is the only sport, bar the banning of the Russian athletic team, which will see most of the top names not appearing. So was the Zika virus overplayed? One Australian journalists doesn’t think so. Having attended the two day safety briefing for media coverage at the games, barely 15 minutes was assigned to discuss the topic. Don’t get me wrong. Who can question the decision where there are risks involved, especially those still planning families.
There are players on the fringe of losing tour card status, needing to retain points or dollars to remain on relevant tours. In particular the US Tour, due to the wrap around schedule. It makes sense to ensure they can still have a guaranteed income, albeit very high, the following year.
Winning gold at the Olympic Games, is not the pinnacle of the sport. Players are measured against how many major tournaments they have won. I’m not a big tennis fan, but I could tell you who won most of the last four years majors, not who won Olympic gold. Most expect that the sport will not return beyond 2020, leaving the question who won the golf tournament at the Olympic Games as an obscure trivia question.
Not many players came out openly suggesting the importance of golf in the Olympic Games, but Rory McIlroy did. This was a breath of fresh air, someone actually speaking the truth. I don’t have a problem with this. Better to hear the truth, than hide behind some lie.
Nor was it the ideal location to bring the sport back to the games. The 2012 games in the UK would have been ideal, or even the 2020 games in Japan, both with strong links to the game of golf.
I grew up looking forward to watching the games every four years. Appreciating the fact that amateur athletes were trying to reach their peak for the extremely limited chances of winning gold. Although there are many more professionals now, the only amateur area I know is boxing (although I’m sure there are others). It is the core sports which evolved with the Olympic spirit, which will always be the focus of the Olympics, as they should be. Track and field or swimming are standouts and what the Olympics are about to me. Tennis, soccer, basket ball or golf, should remain a professional sport outside the Olympics. Let those who aspire to such heights once every four years, have their glory without all the outside noise.
It was disappointing to see those who wanted to compete, just fall short in the rankings and not make the team. In particular Karrie Webb, who is nearing the end of her career. But I do wish our team of Scott Hend, Marcus Fraser, Minjee Lee and Su Oh good luck.
