Olympic Golf

The International Olympic Committee Executive Board recommended yesterday that golf be added to the Olympic Games beginning in 2016.  The final vote by the IOC membership will take place in October but the board's recommendations aren't often ignored.

I've already seen a few articles proclaiming what a good development this is for the game.  While I can't say I'm as enthusiastic about the possibilities as Alistair Tait or Stina Sternberg, I do believe the increased exposure will be good for women's golf.  I wrote a few paragraphs on the subject last year (oddly enough, a year to the day before Thursday's announcement) and my sentiments are pretty much the same these days.  We know now that the competition will be stroke play, which in my opinion is a terrible mistake given that match play lends itself so naturally to international competitions.  Many players have already spoken well of the chance to compete in the name of their home countries so participation will only be a problem if the various tours aren't able to clear their schedules for the couple of weeks that would be needed to compete.  Fortunately they have almost seven years to work out those logistics.

Don't get me wrong.  I'm happy that we'll get to see Paula Creamer, Jiyai Shin, et al playing on the world stage.  I just don't think the added exposure is going to make that much of a difference in how the game itself is already growing worldwide.