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Mike Demetriou

Olympic Golf in 2016: Which venue could/should host Olympic Golf?
« on: July 16, 2008, 01:08:25 PM »
Reading Shack's blog today got me thinking about an exciting prospect. Since I live in Chicago, and we're spending an enormous amount of time and money to lobby to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, I cannot help but wonder where Golf would be staged?  Though I'm not really sure which side of the fence I sit on with respect to whether it should be contested in the Olympics, I am sure that I would attend the matches. What an amazing chance this would be to show off the great GCA here in Chicago.

(http://www.geoffshackelford.com/homepage/2008/7/16/ty-will-ye-no-call-back-again.html)

Should the historical significance of the course trump the actual test of golf?

Should it be staged on an Open/PGA host track? Could

Chicago has so many incredible venue options for an event like this. If you were in charge, which course/s would you want to see? Think of the Winter Olympics and the downhill venues, or the marathon and cycling courses in the Summer Games.  Of course Olympia is appropriately named for the test, but is that the best host site? The early returns on the South Course suggest perhaps it would be up to the challenge.

The Golden Age architects were designing courses here at exactly the same time that the games were born (or re-born with apologies to my Greek ancestors). Do you think they ever envisioned the possibility?

(Note - I thought about posting this in the previous OT Olympic thread, but that thread has been completely jacked, and this is not off-topic in my mind)
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Garland Bayley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Olympic Golf in 2016: Which venue could/should host Olympic Golf?
« Reply #1 on: July 16, 2008, 01:20:25 PM »
Cog Hill seems a natural to me.
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"I enjoy a course where the challenges are contained WITHIN it, and recovery is part of the game  not a course where the challenge is to stay ON it." Jeff Warne

Jay Flemma

Re: Olympic Golf in 2016: Which venue could/should host Olympic Golf?
« Reply #2 on: July 16, 2008, 05:07:49 PM »
The thought of golfers standing on a podium with those %$#@ing hypocritical rings behind them with medals draped aournd them makes me want to yak.

***Insert Grampa Simpson voice***  "We don't need them!"
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PCCraig

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Olympic Golf in 2016: Which venue could/should host Olympic Golf?
« Reply #3 on: July 16, 2008, 05:14:03 PM »
"Olympia" Fields????

Perfect!!!
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H.P.S.

Chris Kane

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Olympic Golf in 2016: Which venue could/should host Olympic Golf?
« Reply #4 on: July 16, 2008, 05:22:10 PM »
My understanding is that Chicago is something of a long shot, politically the USOC isn't popular within the IOC.  Furthermore, hosting the Olympics is something which should be shared - IMO having 1984 and 1996 rules America out for a while.

The other candidate cities are Madrid, Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro.  My preference would be Rio - how about the Jockey Club?!?
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SPDB

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Olympic Golf in 2016: Which venue could/should host Olympic Golf?
« Reply #5 on: July 16, 2008, 05:31:08 PM »
Chris:
I would think the Brazilians might object to holding the golf in Buenos Aires.
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Chris Kane

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Olympic Golf in 2016: Which venue could/should host Olympic Golf?
« Reply #6 on: July 16, 2008, 05:43:24 PM »
Quote from: SPDB on July 16, 2008, 05:31:08 PM
Chris:
I would think the Brazilians might object to holding the golf in Buenos Aires.

I couldn't possibly look more stupid if I tried.
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Tom_Doak

  • Karma: +2/-1
Re: Olympic Golf in 2016: Which venue could/should host Olympic Golf?
« Reply #7 on: July 16, 2008, 07:27:55 PM »
Chris:

That's okay, you could have suggested they hold the golf in Rio, which has three courses for fifteen million inhabitants.  The best of the three courses is Gavea, which I believe is a par-68 on a tiny property ... considering what they spend to build other Olympic facilities, perhaps a purpose-built course would be in order.  And I'll be glad to donate my services for that job.
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Mark Bourgeois

Re: Olympic Golf in 2016: Which venue could/should host Olympic Golf?
« Reply #8 on: July 16, 2008, 07:30:18 PM »
Isn't there a construction boom in Brazil?  Maybe it's too far up the coast, though...

Chris, for your sins you must lobby for Argentina's inclusion into the Tri-Nations!

Mark
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Bill_McBride

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Olympic Golf in 2016: Which venue could/should host Olympic Golf?
« Reply #9 on: July 16, 2008, 08:02:22 PM »
Quote from: Chris Kane on July 16, 2008, 05:43:24 PM
Quote from: SPDB on July 16, 2008, 05:31:08 PM
Chris:
I would think the Brazilians might object to holding the golf in Buenos Aires.

I couldn't possibly look more stupid if I tried.

That's pretty funny!  ;D
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JR Potts

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Olympic Golf in 2016: Which venue could/should host Olympic Golf?
« Reply #10 on: July 16, 2008, 08:03:04 PM »
As much as many on here may gasp, I think Medinah would be and will be the location if Chicago gets the Olympics.
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PCCraig

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Olympic Golf in 2016: Which venue could/should host Olympic Golf?
« Reply #11 on: July 16, 2008, 10:33:40 PM »
Chicago WILL get the Olympics. I would be totally shocked if they didn't.

The interesting thing would be the possible playing formats. If it were an individual match play tournament then that could lend itself to some neat possibilities in locals. How cool would Chicago golf be for a Gold Medal Match???
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H.P.S.

JWinick

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Olympic Golf in 2016: Which venue could/should host Olympic Golf?
« Reply #12 on: July 16, 2008, 11:07:19 PM »
Obviously, I'm biased, but Olympia Fields has done an annual golf outing to raise money for the Olympic games.  I'm sure it would at least make it a contender in 2016.

As for Chicago getting the Olympics, it's pretty much a done deal that the IOC will come back to North America, which leaves us and Rio.   Chicago would enable the entire US to see the games live, which would mean it would be the highest rated Olympics of all time.   Remember, by the time they vote, anti-American sentiment should be waning as Bush will no longer be President.   If Obama is president, I think it makes it even more likely. 
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Matt_Cohn

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Olympic Golf in 2016: Which venue could/should host Olympic Golf?
« Reply #13 on: July 16, 2008, 11:12:27 PM »
Have we determined if this would be a professional or amateur event?
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Tim_Cronin

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Olympic Golf in 2016: Which venue could/should host Olympic Golf?
« Reply #14 on: July 16, 2008, 11:36:55 PM »
Pros, I understand. 72 holes, stroke play. A tour event with a fancy logo. The fifth (sixth?) major?
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Jim Nugent

Re: Olympic Golf in 2016: Which venue could/should host Olympic Golf?
« Reply #15 on: July 17, 2008, 12:53:26 AM »
Quote from: Chris Kane on July 16, 2008, 05:43:24 PM
Quote from: SPDB on July 16, 2008, 05:31:08 PM
Chris:
I would think the Brazilians might object to holding the golf in Buenos Aires.

I couldn't possibly look more stupid if I tried.

Chris, I have far outdone you here a few times in that category.  Besides, you have an out.  Like you said, the Olympics should be shared.  What better way to foster friendship among two neighboring nations? 

Tom Doak, I don't suppose your schedule to work in Rio would be free around late February or March?   
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