Are there any more leads on where the Olympics will hold the golf event?

[Jay Flemma]

Who is in the running?

Am I right that nothing that exists w/in 2 hrs of Rio is any good for a pro event?

Thanks

[Randy Thompson]

I was in Brazil about a month ago and the talk was that a course in Buzio is being considered. Its a PB design, maybe fifteen years old with a new owner..number three or four. There talking about a major renovation and putting five million into it. I drove from Rio to Buzio about six or seven years ago and was somewhere around there, a two hour drive but really nothing in the immediate Rio area.

[Jay Flemma]

Thanks!  Keep the tips coming.

[Tom_Doak]

Jay:

I'm going to Rio just after New Year's.  An acquaintance of mine is on the board at Gavea, and they've asked me to come look at the course to see if there is anything which could be done to make it Olympics-worthy, or whether they should even try.  The course is famously short, so it's pretty unlikely the event will wind up there, but they do have the right connections.

I will see what else I can find out when I'm down there.  But, if I were the Rio organizers, I would just sit back and see what various developers offer to build for me, instead of committing to a site right away.

[Anthony Butler]

Jay:

I'm going to Rio just after New Year's.  An acquaintance of mine is on the board at Gavea, and they've asked me to come look at the course to see if there is anything which could be done to make it Olympics-worthy, or whether they should even try.  The course is famously short, so it's pretty unlikely the event will wind up there, but they do have the right connections.

I will see what else I can find out when I'm down there.  But, if I were the Rio organizers, I would just sit back and see what various developers offer to build for me, instead of committing to a site right away.

As I recall, the USGA committed to Bethpage Black 6-7 years before the 2002 Open. That was for an existing course with just about everything needed in place to hold a US Open.. How long could the IOC wait before committing to a venue at either an existing course or to a course yet to be built? What kind of grasses would be possible for a course in that latitude and how long would the grow-in etc take for a new course to be in tournament condition? With the world's premier golfer in disgrace, and the lack of golf pedigree in the area, it's possible the IOC is having a rethink about readmitting golf for 2016.

[Jay Flemma]

Jay:

I'm going to Rio just after New Year's.  An acquaintance of mine is on the board at Gavea, and they've asked me to come look at the course to see if there is anything which could be done to make it Olympics-worthy, or whether they should even try.  The course is famously short, so it's pretty unlikely the event will wind up there, but they do have the right connections.

I will see what else I can find out when I'm down there.  But, if I were the Rio organizers, I would just sit back and see what various developers offer to build for me, instead of committing to a site right away.

They should just throw money at you, tell you to find a site, and sit back and watch the magic.

I hear the only problem is the BEST land for golf in Brizil is actually 5-6 hours from Rio...

[Kalen Braley]

Jay:

I'm going to Rio just after New Year's.  An acquaintance of mine is on the board at Gavea, and they've asked me to come look at the course to see if there is anything which could be done to make it Olympics-worthy, or whether they should even try.  The course is famously short, so it's pretty unlikely the event will wind up there, but they do have the right connections.

I will see what else I can find out when I'm down there.  But, if I were the Rio organizers, I would just sit back and see what various developers offer to build for me, instead of committing to a site right away.

All fine and good,

But you forget that Tom builds primarily short courses as well!! 

They should just throw money at you, tell you to find a site, and sit back and watch the magic.

I hear the only problem is the BEST land for golf in Brizil is actually 5-6 hours from Rio...

[Ronald Montesano]

http://www.buziosgolf.com.br/e-campo.htm

Here's the Dye course mentioned.  170 km from Rio, although how rugged the km are, who knows!

[Randy Thompson]

is a good road and easy trip but....doubt it will end up there

[Ronald Montesano]

What road leads you to that conclusion, Randy?

[Randy Thompson]

The road of gut feeling, not enough bells and whistles, I think it will be a new course!

[Jonathan Webb]

http://www.igrm.co.uk/projects.php

If this project gets built it could have a chance.  I've heard it will be a Faldo-Smyers.

[Alex Miller]

I'm not claiming to know anything, but Gavea does not seem like a great prospect from google earth. Gavea can't be compared to Bethpage because there is no room at Gavea. It would take a complete re-design.

Buzios seems much more appealing to me.