"In addition to those golfers who will have an opportunity to compete as Olympic athletes, we are excited for the national golf federations that will reap the benefits from today's decision in terms of growth and support within their countries," said Peter Dawson, chief executive of The R&A and joint secretary of the International Golf Federation. "This is a very significant day for golf."
Dawson and Ty Votaw, Executive Director of the International Golf Federation Olympic Golf Committee, were in Copenhagen today to make a final pitch to the IOC, and golfers Padraig Harrington, Michelle Wie, Suzann Pettersen, and 16-year-old British Amateur champion Matteo Manassero took part in the presentation. Tiger Woods appeared via video, recorded earlier.
The International Golf Federation has recommended fields of 60 golfers (for both men's and women's tournaments) for the Olympic golf tournaments in 2016, with the Top 15 in the men's and women's world rankings, respectively, automatically qualifying. Outside the Top 15, golfers only get into the tournament if two golfers from their country have not qualified ahead of them (in other words, outside the Top 15, a maximum of two golfers per country).
Rugby sevens actually received more support from the IOC than did golf. Rugby was approved by an 81-8 vote; golf was approved by a 63-27 vote.
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Your TurnOlympic golf - big excitement or big yawn? Love the proposed format - or hate it? Share your thoughts on Friday's decision by the IOC and the idea of Olympic golf.
Comments
I think it’s great that golf will be returning to the Olympics in 2016 in Rio. I wonder how the Brazilians will take to it, though, as golf is not real big in Brazil. I guess they do have some courses, and I would imagine that any golf course in or around Rio would be beautiful. Tiger should still be in his prime and it would be really cool to see him win an Olympic medal. Now we need to bring back baseball and softball!