Posted on April 26, 2008 in PGA Tour by Samuel ChiNo Comments »

PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem recently floated — actually, backed — the idea of getting golf back into the Olympic Games. Golf, which was dropped from the Games in 1904, will have an opportunity to state its case and be admitted for the 2016 Games, wherever that may be.

The chances are not good. There are seven sports applying for two slots: Baseball and softball, which were dropped for the 2012 London Games, along with rugby are probably best positioned for admittance. And there are also longshots Karate, roller sports and squash.

Golf’s chances are slim to none because it will not receive the backing of a majority of the International Olympic Committee member nations. Except for South Africa, none of the African countries would sponsor golf. The same goes for most of Asia and Latin America. Besides, golf also has this inconvenient image of being an elite sport, in an age when egalitarianism rules the day.

But the biggest issue is this: Most of golf’s elite players don’t give a hoot about the Olympics, starting with Tiger Woods. By 2016, Tiger will be 40 and probably already have Jack’s record in the bag. I just don’t see him getting all that jacked about a gold medal. Besides, the Olympics most likely will take place during the middle of the majors run — right around the time between the British Open and the PGA, another reason why few elite players would be all that interested.

In addition, golf has absolutely no tradition in the Olympics. Having been out of the Games for over 100 years, it’s been out of sight, out of mind.

We’ll know for sure in about a year and a half from now. But no worries. This is just another bad idea from Finchem. We just hope that some of his other ones would go away as easily.

Say, like the FedEx Cup?

 

 

 

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