Olympic Golf?

[GirlySports]

http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=4067357

This story is gaining momentum cause the two favorites to host the 2016 Olympics are Chicago and Tokyo, two places that love golf.

So what would be the format? Stoke-play, match play?

[metallicat]

I don't see why they don't just have a regular stroke play competition. I think it would be great. Why it isn't in the Olympics just baffles me. I have wondered this for years.

[Boblobla]

I would have to go with stroke play. While I do enjoy match play it doesn't really allow for any exciting come from behind viewing.

[HotHotHeat]

A 6 day stroke play tournament with multiple cuts would be awesome.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

I think I'd love to see a stroke play championship at the olympics.
I really can't see why they haven't done this yet either. Can you imagine what the TV ratings would be like?

I guess the only downside is that each country would only be allowed to send a few golfers, so it'd likely end up being Tiger and a few others totally outclassing some dude from Italy and Brazil, but the top end tallent would be interesting enough to make the IOC a LOT of money.

[GirlySports]

Hey! Canada's the defending champ!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golf_at...ummer_Olympics

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

I think I'd love to see a stroke play championship at the olympics.
I really can't see why they haven't done this yet either. Can you imagine what the TV ratings would be like?

I guess the only downside is that each country would only be allowed to send a few golfers, so it'd likely end up being Tiger and a few others totally outclassing some dude from Italy and Brazil, but the top end tallent would be interesting enough to make the IOC a LOT of money.

That's not much different than some World Golf events where they let more guys from other tours into the field.

I think the reason it's not in the Olympics is resistance from the PGA Tour. They have a very rigid schedule and there's just no room for Olympics.

What tournaments are played in mid-august?

[Superflyer]

Hey if the NHL can take time off so can the PGA

[Superfraggle]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Hey! Canada's the defending champ!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golf_at...ummer_Olympics

Wow...only Canada and the U.S. participated. Canada sent 3 golfers, the US sent 74. No wonder the U.S. swept the team medals...they were the only one who sent teams!

[HOZ]

Why not go with the Olympic spirit and have skins-play

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by Superflyer

Hey if the NHL can take time off so can the PGA

That's the thing though.
Golfer's skip events all the time for various reasons.
Hell, doesn't Tiger play WAY fewer tournaments than the average guys?


I agree the PGA probably has something to say about not wanting golf in the Olympics, but if the golfers wanted to go they could, and the PGA events would still go on, just withouth some of the top talent, but thiat of coure is the problem the PGA has with it.

I really don't see why the IOC doesn't just go ahead and do it and see who comes.
If nothing else, it'd be interesting to see who is willing to skip an event with cash on the line, for a shot at an Olympic medal.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Superflyer

Hey if the NHL can take time off so can the PGA

It's amazing the NHL takes time off mid-season. All other sports whine and complain. Look at the fiasco that is the WBC and that was pre-season!

Makes everyone appreciate hockey players.

[HotHotHeat]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

I think I'd love to see a stroke play championship at the olympics.
I really can't see why they haven't done this yet either. Can you imagine what the TV ratings would be like?

I guess the only downside is that each country would only be allowed to send a few golfers, so it'd likely end up being Tiger and a few others totally outclassing some dude from Italy and Brazil, but the top end tallent would be interesting enough to make the IOC a LOT of money.

Golf is becoming a much more global game than it ever used to be.

Check out the world rankings this year:

(Through April 12)

Pts. Tot. # of Pts. Pts.
Rank Player Country Avg. Pts. Evts Lost Gained
1 Tiger Woods USA 10.02 400.63 40 -170.28 92.2
2 Phil Mickelson USA 8.56 410.73 48 -107.84 174.19
3 Sergio Garcia Esp 7.08 361.08 51 -95.26 35.01
4 Geoff Ogilvy Aus 6.54 307.51 47 -56.2 150.57
5 Padraig Harrington Irl 5.71 296.98 52 -89.82 32.36
6 Kenny Perry USA 5.68 300.78 53 -44.47 146.98
7 Paul Casey Eng 5.51 270.18 49 -34.24 181.34
8 Vijay Singh Fji 5.39 280.29 52 -97.66 12.44
9 Henrik Stenson Swe 5.02 255.87 51 -60.02 72.82
10 Camilo Villegas Col 4.98 249.09 50 -54.31 58.64
11 Robert Karlsson Swe 4.77 238.38 50 -56.92 25.7
12 Steve Stricker USA 4.49 202.04 45 -62.81 90.71
13 Jim Furyk USA 4.33 203.31 47 -64.13 56.73
14 Anthony Kim USA 4.24 212.18 50 -53.78 39.12
15 Lee Westwood Eng 4.13 218.77 53 -61.4 24.61
16 Ernie Els Zaf 4 219.76 55 -77.76 40.24
17 Rory McIlroy Nir 3.96 182.29 46 -17.01 96.26
18 Angel Cabrera Arg 3.7 192.47 52 -45.64 112.53
19 Stewart Cink USA 3.56 170.83 48 -56.17 38.3
20 Mike Weir Can 3.52 176.06 50 -43.25 48.5
21 Martin Kaymer Deu 3.29 180.94 55 -38.86 48.31
22 Sean O'Hair USA 3.26 176.25 54 -34.45 96.27
23 Retief Goosen Zaf 3.26 185.95 57 -37.61 91.81
24 Justin Rose Eng 3.21 153.9 48 -58.06 47.3
25 Zach Johnson USA 3.2 153.38 48 -47.8 87.14
26 Adam Scott Aus 3.19 146.89 46 -54.72 30.45
27 Justin Leonard USA 3.15 170.22 54 -44.76 39.79
28 K.J. Choi Kor 3.13 159.71 51 -69.35 30.56
29 Alvaro Quiros Esp 3.07 131.83 43 -11.48 70.69
30 Robert Allenby Aus 2.96 174.86 59 -44.83 32.97

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by HOZ

Why not go with the Olympic spirit and have skins-play

lol, you beat me to it.

[4X4]

I'd love to see it as well. I bet that the PGA is strongly against it because it would probably affect the British Open and the PGA Championship, both of which are (IIRC) in the summer.

But still, I don't see why the PGA doesn't embrace it. I mean, soccer has the World Cup every 4 years. I know it's a different sport and schedule but still, I don't see why the PGA wouldn't want their sport showcased like that.

[Dan02]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Hey! Canada's the defending champ!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golf_at...ummer_Olympics

take that Tiger, We've been defending the gold medal in golf for over 100 years!

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

It's amazing the NHL takes time off mid-season. All other sports whine and complain. Look at the fiasco that is the WBC and that was pre-season!

Makes everyone appreciate hockey players.

I think the difference is that the NHL uses the Olympics as a marketing tool. Something the other major sports don't need to do, or at least don't think they need to do.

The Olympics are a great way for the NHL to market players like Ovechkin, Crosby, and whoever is playing for the Americans.

On the other hand, the PGA has the marketing juggernaut that is Tiger Woods. They don't need any help marketing him, and in turn their game, so why bother sharing him/the revenue he produces if they can avoid it?

[HotHotHeat]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

I think the difference is that the NHL uses the Olympics as a marketing tool. Something the other major sports don't need to do, or at least don't think they need to do.

The Olympics are a great way for the NHL to market players like Ovechkin, Crosby, and whoever is playing for the Americans.

On the other hand, the PGA has the marketing juggernaut that is Tiger Woods. They don't need any help marketing him, and in turn their game, so why bother sharing him/the revenue he produces if they can avoid it?

The last few months (while Tiger was hurt) showed that the PGA still has a lot of work to do to grow their game. While Tiger is popular, the game is not. If they really don't think they need to grow their game, they're in for it. Who knows how long Tiger will compete on a regular basis?

[Flame Of Liberty]

Can't wait for darts and blackjack to become olympic sports too.

But what the heck, if trampoline can make it, why not golf?

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

The last few months (while Tiger was hurt) showed that the PGA still has a lot of work to do to grow their game. While Tiger is popular, the game is not. If they really don't think they need to grow their game, they're in for it. Who knows how long Tiger will compete on a regular basis?

That kind of illustrates my point though.
Any Olympic competition would undoubtedly turn into the Tiger Show (assuming he goes), so it wouldn't do the PGA much good.
For now they've got Tiger to ride, and once he's gone I could see them trying to market the game through the Olympics, but not before.

Of course that's not to say the IOC won't go ahead and put it in anyway. I'd love to see it, and they don't need the PGA to agree either, as unless the PGA makes a rule against competeing I'm sure the golfers will go. Unless of course, as I alluded to earlier, they'd have to miss a big money tournament to do so.