Future of Golf in the Olympics Questionable

I am thrilled that golf is finally returning to the Olympics, but I do have one question. Who decided to pick the 2016 games in Rio? Why not 2012 at the London Games where there is no shortage of great golf courses or 2020 at the Tokyo Games where I know there are some fine courses? But no, we got 2016 in Rio where we had to build a course that is totally untested.

Top all that off with the multitude of other problems such as air pollution, an unstable government, well documented problems with water pollution, crime, and traffic just to mention a few. I don’t even bother to ask how Rio got picked in the first place since questions about the integrity of the IOC abound, but why and who decided this is a good place to debut golf after a 112 year absence.

Zeka Virus

On top of everything else it is ground zero for the Zeka Virus. If I was thinking about going to an Olympics it would not be this one. I certainly understand why the top male golfers in the world are choosing not go. I also understand why the LPGA players are going. This is an opportunity to display their talents to the world and increase awareness of women’s golf on a global scale. I applaud them for this and since anyone that contracts the virus will be pretty much clear of it in two weeks with a very high probability of no future problems.

Let’s hope that this all works out and it becomes a learning experience so that golf can stay a part of the Olympics. The high profile, worldwide exposure is good for the game.

Amateurs Only

I have heard a lot of comments about how it should have been for amateurs only and I wish it could be, but the definition of amateur is too vague. We found that out in other sports when entire countries and their governments get involved in trying to dominate a sport. In a purely amateur environment everyone would be playing for second place behind the South Korean women.

I will definitely be watching the Olympics because I just simply enjoy seeing the best in the world competing in all the events. Watching top athletes excel against one another trying to do their personal best when they need it the most is exciting no matter what the sport.

Let’s just hope that golf doesn’t fall flat on its face in a less than ideal environment for its return.

Cover Image via Flickr