A groundswell of interest among major organizations could lead to golf's inclusion in the Olympic Games of 2016.
The chances improved dramatically yesterday when the International Olympic Committee announced in the newsletter http://www.aroundtherings.com that golf is one of seven sports under consideration for the Games. The IOC will announce its final decision on the 28 sports for the Games of 2016 at a meeting in Copenhagen in October, 2009.
The idea of golf in the Olympics has been raised before, many times. It was considered for the Atlanta Games in 1996, when the competitions were to be held at Augusta National Golf Club. Club member Billy Payne was the president and chief executive officer of the Games' organizing committee.
In the end, golf wasn't included. Payne, now the chairman of Augusta National, continues to support the sport's inclusion and said at the Masters this month that this would "jump-start golf in a lot of countries."
Maybe yes, maybe no.
PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem thinks yes.
"Golf in the Olympics presents a unique opportunity for all of these organizations to work together in an effort to promote and grow the game," Finchem said after the Masters. He met there with the highest-ranked representatives from the U.S. Golf Association, the LPGA, the R&A, the PGA of America and the PGA European Tour to discuss the idea.
Golf was last in the Games in 1904, when George Lyon won the gold medal for Canada. Lyon, of Toronto, also won eight Canadian Amateur championships.
The Olympic trophy rests in the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum at the Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. Lyon's gold medal is missing. Canada would be the defending champion from 112 years before the Games of 2016.
Chris Rudge, the chief executive officer and secretary-general of the Canadian Olympic Committee and a keen golfer, forwarded the announcement that golf is under consideration yesterday. He said in an interview that including golf "would be consistent with where the Olympics are trying to go. Golf engages youth of both genders."
He added that support among major organizations is a key element in getting golf into the Games.
The format would most likely be 72-hole, stroke-play competitions for men and women. The IOC would insist on the best players, which means professionals. Two players from each country would compete.
Tiger Woods, who will be 40 in 2016, was lukewarm to the idea when he last spoke about it publicly two years ago.
"It would be great to have an Olympic gold medal," he said. "But if you asked any player, 'Would you rather have an Olympic gold medal, or green jacket or Claret Jug,' more players would say the majors."
His views could change, as have Phil Mickelson's. He always supported golf's inclusion, but for amateurs. At the Masters, he said: "Having golf become an Olympic sport is a very important thing for the game of golf. And I would definitely play if given the opportunity to represent my country."
"History shows us that professional athletes at the end of the day embrace the idea," Rudge said. "That's happened with hockey and tennis, and I'm optimistic that all the best golfers would want to be there."
It's not certain, though, that golf in the Olympics would automatically "grow" the game. Would it lead to youth programs in countries where golf is a minor sport? Revenue from the Olympics would have to be funnelled into the game in countries on a consistent, long-term basis.
Golf is not a true global sport like soccer, in terms of its popularity. But it can get people from eight to 80 - or beyond - outdoors and stimulate them mentally and physically. If golf in the Olympics can help create programs and courses - even small courses - then it belongs in the Games.
It seems obvious that Woods, Mickelson and other well-known golfers, including Canadians Mike Weir and Stephen Ames and whoever else might be contending in 2016, must become authentic ambassadors for the game if Olympic golf is to stimulate growth.
This means more than playing in the Olympics or international tournaments. It means participating in initiatives yet to be determined, and which the IOC in conjunction with worldwide organizations can and should help motivate.
Golf is primarily an individual game that relies on and promotes self-interest more than it does national pride or even team camaraderie. If golf in the Olympics is going to build the game on the world stage, elite players will have to buy into a common goal. They're entitled not to accept that responsibility.
Still, true global golf is an ideal worth striving for. It's idealistic to think it can be realized, but idealism allied to practical programs can be a powerful force.
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