golf in the olympics

[papyt]

if golf is going to be in the olympics should it be an amateur contest,i thought the idea was all the competitors should be mature but most of them are millionaires and getting paid out of our tax's ie paula radcliffe,ennis etc etc .Why then is the governing bodies of golf contemplating condoning it and letting full time touring multi millionaire players taking part,same as the football teams all premier league players for the england team.If the dates conflict with a regular tournament will the top players go and will there sponsors be allowed to emblazon their names all over the gear,personally it is taking away an ideal opportunity to let the top amateurs from all the countries involved to have their moment in the spotlight.

 

[thecraw]

It shouldn't be an olympic sport in my opinion.

 

[USER1999]

It should not be an Olympic sport. Neither should tennis, football, basketball, or any other sport where the pinnacle of winning is not an Olympic gold medal. It demeans the whole thing.

The tv companies won't want amateur golf, as no one cares to watch it. Added to which, there are very few amateurs at the Olympic games, in any sport.

 

[Imurg]

Likewise - can't see why it's there.
But it is and as it's there is should be Amateurs competing not highly paid professionals.
Tennis does it and that's wrong too.
And it should be Matchplay too.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think golf has a right to be an olympic sport but only under the amateur banner. Lets face it, there are enough top amateurs in the world to make it a very good spectacle and far more in keeping with the Olympic spirit. I am opposed to any professional athletes (tennis, football etc) being allowed to compete. Granted athletes are professional now in that they are sponsored for training and the elite compete for prize money (Golden League) but somehow the ethos of the hours dedicated to training and competing kind of outweigh the argument (cake, having and eating I guess).

 

[ScienceBoy]

Cannot see why it is in the olympics, other sports have got a strong recent history but golf has been away for a long time and the game has changed drastically.

If it is to be in then it SHOULD be matchplay and should be set up so we can see a huge variation of nations rather than just a pile of americans, brits and Koreans.

 

[thecraw]

Its there as a money spinner, plain and simple. The powers to be see TV deals and advertising deals. Nothing to do with giving Rory or Bill Hass or whoever a Golf medal!!!

 

[Foxholer]

It should not be an Olympic sport. Neither should tennis, football, basketball, or any other sport where the pinnacle of winning is not an Olympic gold medal. It demeans the whole thing.

+1

BTW. Homer. I think you are about 30 years out of date. Athletics has been professional/shamateur forat least that long!

 

[joer422]

there are very few amateurs at the Olympic games, in any sport.

boxing is only amateurs and its very popular

 

[DaveyG]

Think its where Amir came from too!

Im suprised at some of these comments... The same with football... I dont care if its Halesowen Town V Team Bath... I will watch any Golf/Football I can.

Beats all the rubbish HID likes to bore me with...

 

[Karl102]

Everybody knows the IOC is one of the most corrupt organisations in the world! Prior to the 84 Olympics in LA nobody wanted them as the cost led to hundreds of millions of pounds debt. In 84 LA was one of only 2 cities that bid for the games! The Yanks showed the way via sponsorship and marketing and made millions!

In the centenary games in 96 (Atlanta) the whole world expected Athens to get the games (so the hosted in the 1st and 100th year) but 2 weeks before the final votes were cast certain influential members of the IOC were taken to Augusta in Atlanta , we're hosted by coca cola and treated to a right royal time! There was even mention of golf in the Olympics and they would use Augusta!

When de coubertain announced who would host the games he actually changed hiss words cos he was so sure Athens would get it! He actually said and the host is....... Athhlanta!

Andrew Jennings is an author who has wrote some great books on this topic! They are called " The Lords of The Rings "

 

[Doon frae Troon]

At the top level there is no such thing as Amateur Golf. They are all full time players who receive money from playing golf.

Time to end this farce and follow the example of tennis. Just have one tier and everyone is a player.

 

[jamichelson]

if all the possible sport and quasi-sport games will become Olympic games then the olympics will last forever

 

[BeachGolfer]

Its about time someone relieved Canadian George Lyon as the individual golf Olympic champion. He's only been top dog for 108 years since the 1904 St Louis games. Way to go George!

 

[Deleted member 1418]

It should not be an Olympic sport. Neither should tennis, football, basketball, or any other sport where the pinnacle of winning is not an Olympic gold medal. It demeans the whole thing.

The tv companies won't want amateur golf, as no one cares to watch it. Added to which, there are very few amateurs at the Olympic games, in any sport.

:clap: couldn't agree more.

 

[joma1108]

I have to agree with a lot of the posts in that there is no reason golf should not be an olympic sport, i believe that it should be open to all the olympic countries participating and that it should be the best current amateurs from those nations. (maximum of two per competing nation)
it shouldbe matchplay

OR as a twist like the world cup golf but 4 different formats. day one Strokeplay, Day two Betterball, Day 3 Greensome and day 4 texas scramble, Not a scramble i hear you say, but think about it, last day pins tucked away and you would get some real risk and reward golf and would be very exciting.

well i would watch it

 

[bluetoon]

Yep should be for the Elite Amatuers only.