Golf had a great week. The Olympics voted to put golf back into the 2016 and 2020 games and the Presidents Cup was a huge success at Harding Park GC in San Francisco.
The day the vote for putting golf into the games came on Friday, October 9, 2009, which was round 2 of the Presidents Cup and rightfully garnered a great deal of attention. Golf was back into the Olympics after a century's absence. This is big for golf, in terms of recognition as a sport worldwide played by more than 60 million people and in 120 countries, especially in terms of helping to grow the game globally. There is no stage bigger than the Olympics to bring recognition to a sport.
The Olympic competition has been somewhat decided to be a 72 hole individual medal play competition for both the men and women, with a field of 60 players for each. In the case of a tie for 1st, 2nd or 3rd, the tie would be broken by a 3 hole playoff. The Olympic golfers will be chosen off the men's and women's Official World Golf Rankings. The top 15 on the rankings would be eligible regardless of their country affiliation, so some of the major golf playing countries will have more than 2 players. After the top 12, the rest of the field will be picked off the OGWR list ,with a max of 2 eligible players for any country that does not have 2 or more players in the top 15. It was noted that, based on the current world ranking list, at least 30 countries would be represented. (www.PGA Tour.com)
Players interviewed at the Presidents Cup were all enthusiastic about golf in the Olympics and each one of them said they would play. World number 1 player Tiger Woods has already said he would compete, as I am sure the rest of the top 15 would also be there to play for the GOLD, SILVER and BRONZE.
The Presidents Cup was a great success, with awesome TV coverage on national networks and, of course, The Golf Channel. The US retained the Cup for another 4 years when the defense will be in Australia. I would say there is a good chance International Captain, Greg Norman may get a second go to become a victorious captain.
Golf getting voted into the Olympics and a successful Presidents Cup, an International Golf Team Tournament, made last week a great week for golf and the future of the game.
The Surge!