Golf at the Olympics

I like that golf is going to be at it. I dislike the method for qualification. There should be like there is for other events, an individual qualifying standard. Like a time for track and field events, that has to be achieved at certain national/international events. A score, say 64, at certain courses at certain times and open to everyone pros and amateurs to attempt to compete for. Whoever hits the qualifying time gets to compete for a medal. Whoever doesn't, doesn't.

Like a few years ago where top sprinters from jamaica and the USA missed out. They missed the time or they missed their slot and they missed the Olympics. Even though they were top 10/20 sprinters in the world

Montgolfier wrote: »

Even a pro am tournament with top pro and am from each country

How do countries qualify?

Senecio wrote: »

So it comes down to money then? Golf can bring money to the olympics that other sports can't.

As others have said, it's about competing at the pinnacle of one's chosen sport. Some athletes train their whole life and they peak for one olympic year and if their lucky they may get to compete in a 2nd, 3rd etc.... Golf already has 4 pinnacles a year (+ WGC events, Ryder Cup).

I think it just comes down to greed on the part of both parties.

I just know that if I miss the men's badminton final because the telly are showing Rory, Speith, Scott I'll be pretty pissed off. We can watch these guys week in week out but I rarely get to see badminton played by the best in the world.

It's because golf brings money to the Olympics that other sports can participate. What broadcasters show is a different issue. The 2012 Olympics was extremely well showcased on the BBC. There were so many options available to viewers. What was also notable from 2012 was the hige coverage that the Paralympics got.

LuckyGent88 wrote: »

Adam Scott has announced that he won't be competing in rio anyway. Says it doesn't fit in his schedule and will be concentrating on the majors. Fair enough I suppose.
Big blow to organisers though.

Marc Leishman likes this

“Money, it’s gonna ruin sports” - O.B. Keeler

There will be 60 men, 60 women. And it's expected to be Meadow and Maguire representing Ireland in the women's event.

If anyone's interested in the details/issues here's an article I wrote for the Examiner - I used the above poll figures as part of the research!

Seve OB wrote: »

You're welcome

Ah no, good article. Totally agree with you it should be something different. Matchplay. Foresomes. Even a bloody scramble with the team of 4.

Another stroke play 4 day tournament for the top pros? It's just another week really.....

That was one of Adam Scott's points back in 2013 too. He said they had really missed something with the format

LuckyGent88 wrote: »

It was more the golf authorities I was referring to who worked hard to get it included in the Olympics. One of the biggest names is golf just doesn't see it as important in his schedule or high on his achievements list. He may not end up being the last player to pull out either. There is a hectic schedule this year especially for those with Ryder cup aspirations.

Actually, I presume the Olympic golf results won't matter in terms of Ryder cup rankings??

I imagine they will be part of the OWGR. Which shouldn't affect the European Ryder Cup team as that's based on the race to Dubai rankings. The US team is something similar.

There are world ranking points available at the Olympics but I believe that they won't count for Ryder Cup qualification

paulos53 wrote: »

There are world ranking points available at the Olympics but I believe that they won't count for Ryder Cup qualification

martinkop wrote: »

They'd have to count. If it affects world ranking points, then it affects Ryder cup Qualification for Europe, and the criteria does not eliminate the olympics from counting.

I haven't read anything about the OWGR situation, but it seems utterly daft that points would be up for grabs when many of the best golfers in the world won't be there because of the qualification system.

Based on the current OWGR standings, Brandt Snedeker (16), Zach Johnson (17), Phil Mickelson (19), Schwartzel (20), Paul Casey (24) and countless other top 30 players won't be playing in Rio, yet guys ranked as low as 400 could.