Those that are observant might have noted that I am not at all in favour with golf being in the Olympics. I believe golf's rulers will one day regret getting involved with the dodgy dealers that run the Olympics, but that be as it may golf is still going to be in there.
The recent threads on the new course for the Brazil Olympics got me thinking about the forthcoming London Olympics and what if golf had been part of it. What would be the Olympic course. London is blessed with many wonderful old classic courses and a several new courses by well known gca's like Kyle Phillips.
Niall
Niall, For a guy who doesn't believe the Olympics and golf belong together you're spending a awful lot of time thinking about it...
That said, I have my own reservations about whether this whole thing will work out. Most of the other Olympic events can be held in constructed arenas... whether the host country has a history or any culture supporting that particular sport seems somewhat irrelevant. Did communist China have a history or equestrian events... unlikely... not a problem though in terms of creating a suitable competitive arena. Harder to make that argument for golf.
No matter who wins the Olympic course design competition, the lack of golf culture, suitable climate and terrain and knowledgeable people on the host committee in Brazil represents a considerable risk to how the event is executed and regarded. Tom Doak feels differently about this... which is understandable since he's fully committed to putting together a winning proposal and making the course as good as possible if his bid is successful.
It will be interesting to see how much excitement is created by the novelty of golf in the Olympics... If you look towards tennis as a guide, the Olympic event has struggled to match the profile and prestige of the majors since it was reintroduced at the 1988 Games–the four year gap between tournaments being a major factor.
Perhaps that will change at this summer's Olympics, since it will be conducted for the first time at one of tennis' major sites... in fact, the most prestigious address in the sport. Still, the tournament starts just over one month after the conclusion of Wimbledon itself, so it won't feel quite as fresh to the players.
Tennis has become marginally more important to the players since the ATP decided to give out ranking points stating at the Athens Olympics in 2004. Speaking of which... anyone care to name the mens gold medalist for that event without leaving GCA.com for the answer?