Golf in the Olympics

Usually, I spend the Monday posting a recap of the professional tour action that takes place around the world. But today is different. Why? Because it's a Leap Year... February 29th and this only takes place once every four years. It's sort of like the Olympics, which of course we are going to be seeing return in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. For some golf fans around the world this is an exciting time and for others... it has meant a lukewarm reception.

The Olympic Trophy Canada's since 1904

In my case, I am in the latter group. As a golfer and fan of the game I do find it at least a little bit intriguing. But there is a bigger part of me that really isn't a fan of the notion. It isn't because we'll be seeing professional golfers (as opposed to top amateurs) compose the field that has little to do with it. After all, spectators do deserve to see the best athletes in the world and for the most part this does mean professional athletes taking part. I take great pride in sticking to my guns and dating back to the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta I remember seeing players from the NHL take part. It was weird seeing Andy Moog play in net for Canada. Honestly, I didn't really like it. Up until then hockey and the Olympic Games was seen as a strictly amateur event. Although many argued that the Red Army teams of the Soviet Union were professionals. But what did it do? It led to the NHL seeing a bevy of players start emerging into the NHL from countries like of Sweden, Finland, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic and Slovakia respectively) and then after the Soviet Union fragmented, players from Latvia, Lithuania and Kazakhstan started to arrive. But how does this tie into golf in the Olympic Games?

Photo Courtesy of: CollectionsCanada.ca

I have never considered hockey to be a worldwide game and I am sure that the IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) has never claimed the same. However, as much as the powers that be try to convince the public that golf is a worldwide game.. it simply isn't. If you look at the parameters for qualifying the IOC (International Olympic Committee) has limited the field to 60 players on both the ladies and men's side. The IOC is also using the Official World Golf Rankings of both genders. The top-15 automatically gain entry in the games however, the number of players per country is capped at 4. Also gaining entry are those players from countries outside of the "15" that do not already have two or more players among those  players in the "15". So what does that mean? If you were to look at the rankings right now on the Men's side of things... approximately 28 countries would be represented although not worldwide golf would be well represented. The Sochi games in 2014 saw 12 men's and 8 women's teams respectively.

So the thought that I have is this. How does golf in the Olympics differ from any stop on the LPGA Tour, PGA Tour or European Tour? Is it necesary? Would it help to #GrowGolf in impoverished countries?

Until the next tee.