While Chicago may have missed out on the 2016 Olympics, golf has not. Last week, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that golf and rugby would be added to the 2016 Olympics -- to be held in Rio de Janiero, Brazil -- and the 2020 Olympics -- where a site has not yet been announced.
As a wholehearted golf fan, I'm nothing short of ecstatic. Where today's golfing contemporaries have spent a lifetime dreaming of green jackets and Wanamaker Trophies -- maybe, maybe an unusually patriotic junior golfer has one day thought of partnering with Tiger Woods or Tom Watson at the Ryder Cup, the thought of striving for Olympic gold has not even been a second-thought.The eventual major considerations and reservations for golf in 2016 are going to be the expectation that during the late summer window (August, essentially) top professionals are going to be expected to play in the PGA Championship at Baltusrol, the Ryder Cup (in Hazeltine, Minnesota), whatever form that still exists of the FedEx Cup, and the Olympics in Rio. The 2016 Olympics may bring that moment which I've expected for some time; guys are going to say no to the Ryder Cup (I wish that read Presidents Cup). It's hardly inappropriate for the Americans or Europeans competing in both events to take a pass on a weekend in Minnesota.
Further, there is already some discussion over what course will be played. Though there are over 100 golf courses in Brazil, only three are being acknowledged as being even remotely suitable. Never fear, the PGA Tour has announced that it would consider developing a "TPC-Brazil" to host the event. While I love the notion of ensuring that the Olympics is played at an appropriate facility, I don't believe that the United States PGA Tour should be meddling in the affairs of a Brazilian Olympics. Who is the PGA Tour to say that a contemporary, American style golf course is right for the Olympics?
The specifics of the competition format are: 60 players compete over 72 holes of stroke play. The International Golf Federation has recommended that the the top 15 players in the world will automatically be qualified, regardless of country, and beyond that players will be chosen based on golf ranking (two per country) for those countries competing (IGF). The IOC hasn't announced yet whether they'll adopt this format.
Unfortunately, I adamantly oppose this format. Not only does 54 holes seem more appropriate, but this system relies entirely on an individual competition and victor. Although golf is not traditionally a team game, there are team specific formats that would be appropriate. As I've long suggested that collegiate golf should adopt more, I'm in favor, in terms of the Olympics, two man teams (in college five) who compete in an individual stroke play competition, but where the team score is aggregated daily based on the best single (in college four) front and back nine score(s). Not only does this maintain the traditional individual components of golf competition, but it brings a team element without sacrificing individual performance.
Unfortunately, I adamantly oppose this format. Not only does 54 holes seem more appropriate, but this system relies entirely on an individual competition and victor. Although golf is not traditionally a team game, there are team specific formats that would be appropriate. As I've long suggested that collegiate golf should adopt more, I'm in favor, in terms of the Olympics, two man teams (in college five) who compete in an individual stroke play competition, but where the team score is aggregated daily based on the best single (in college four) front and back nine score(s). Not only does this maintain the traditional individual components of golf competition, but it brings a team element without sacrificing individual performance.
Perhaps most sadly, I can not help but think of what Olympic golf would have been like in Chicago in 2016. Would it have been hosted at Cog Hill? Olympia Fields? Medinah? Or how about the less conventional, but classic; Chicago Golf Club? North Shore Country Club? Skokie Country Club?
Though it's more than 6 years away, I'm already excited. Truthfully, what will the sight of Tiger Woods wearing Olympic gold bring?
Photo(s): 2016 Olympics, Tiger Woods
2 comments:
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It is an exciting prospect to have golf in the Olympics. Since the major tournaments in the world have - for over 100 years (Open Championship; U.S. Open)- competed over 72 holes the Olympics should also use 72 holes. I also think there should be individual medals as well as team medals. Teams could be 4 players. Each competing nation should determine their own method of team selection. The "top ten" golf nations would be exempt into the Olympics. Another 20 teams could be determined through regional and sectional qualifying. The Olympics would then have 30 teams (120 players) competing in a no cut 72 hole event at the new Trump International TPC facility in Rio.
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