2016 Olympics Discussion Thread

[saevel25]

Just a primer for the 2016 Olympics.

Format: 72-hole singles play

Dates: 11-14 August (Men), 17-20 August (Women)

Qualification

Will be based on world rankings as of July 11th 2016. Total of 60 players will qualify in each of the men's and women's events.

Top 15 from each gender will qualify, with a limit of four golfers per country that can qualify this way.

Remaining spots will go to the highest-ranked players from countries that do not already have two golfers qualified.

So as long as you don't have two golfers in the top 15 then you can get two golfers in if you are ranked 46th to 60th.

Right now the US golfers would be

Jordan Spieth, Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, Jim Furyk

Interesting the top two spots for Ireland are,

Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry

Right now McDowell isn't in the top 60 in the rankings for the Olympics.

http://www.igfgolf.org/olympic-games/ogr-men/

Also interesting is that the PGA Championship for 2016 has been moved up to the last weekend in July. So you have a two week break from The Open to The PGA Championship. Then you have another two week break till the Olympics.

[mailman]

It's a missed opportunity really. Had hoped they would have gone with a Ryder Cup style format instead of the bog standard we see day in day out on TV. Also think they missed a trick not getting Jack Nichlous involved in the course design given he is in favour of shorter but tougher courses. Final whinge, pity it's not the best amateurs playing instead of pros. Mailman

[Infamous 273]

Definitely should be amateurs instead of the pros, straight match play format. One and done for golf in the Olympics IMHO.

[Jakester23]

  Infamous 273 said:

Definitely should be amateurs instead of the pros, straight match play format. One and done for golf in the Olympics IMHO.

No one would watch if it amateurs. The Olympics wants ratings just like anyone else. What's would be better for ratings speith vs Rory for the gold medal or 2 dudes we've never heard of?

[mailman]

There are already a number of pro's who aren't going because it's not important to them. match play would have been awesome...anything but straight strike play!!! Mailman

[Crim]

  saevel25 said:

Interesting the top two spots for Ireland are,

Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry

Right now McDowell isn't in the top 60 in the rankings for the Olympics.

I'm dead serious right now when I say I'd rather have Paddy Harrington representing Ireland over McDowell right now. Shane Lowery and Rory is solid though. One from the republic...one from the north.

[rkim291968]

  mailman said:

There are already a number of pro's who aren't going because it's not important to them.

Where did you hear that, and who are those pros?   It's once in a life time opportunity & experience for most.  For most nations, the desire to represent their country in the Olympics is very strong.   Exhibit A: Did you watch past Olympics events for Tennis?   Many pro superstars represented their country and their reaction after victory said it all.

[shalabe]

I'll watch no matter but I was also hoping for a different format. Although, if the goal for this Olympic's is to increase global exposure then I guess it's not a surprise they went with the standard 4-day tournament.

[mailman]

  rkim291968 said:

Where did you hear that, and who are those pros?   It's once in a life time opportunity & experience for most.  For most nations, the desire to represent their country in the Olympics is very strong.   Exhibit A: Did you watch past Olympics events for Tennis?   Many pro superstars represented their country and their reaction after victory said it all.

Adam Scott was on golfing world and said he wouldn't be going as his year is structured around the 4 Majors and he doesn't need the Olympics. They mentioned there were others in the same boat not going. Tennis is hardly a good example of a sport needing the Olympics to grow. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for golf being there I just think it could have concentrated on the actual development side instead of, seemingly, on the commercial side. Don't even get me started on the commonwealth games and why golf wasn't in it given the tournament COULD have been held at St Andrews!!! Mailman

[rkim291968]

  mailman said:

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkim291968

Where did you hear that, and who are those pros?   It's once in a life time opportunity & experience for most.  For most nations, the desire to represent their country in the Olympics is very strong.   Exhibit A: Did you watch past Olympics events for Tennis?   Many pro superstars represented their country and their reaction after victory said it all.

Adam Scott was on golfing world and said he wouldn't be going as his year is structured around the 4 Majors and he doesn't need the Olympics. They mentioned there were others in the same boat not going.

That's a shame.   I never liked AS for no apparent reason and I now I have one. But I believe most world golfers are dying to represent their country.  For example,  Korean LPGA golfers are all fighting to get into their Olympic team.   One of Sei Young Kim's reasons to join LPGA is to improve her world ranking to qualify for the national team.   In Bee Park and others have also stated their desire to represent the country.   They have more balls than Adam Scott and a few others who want to skip Olympics.

[McMahon]

Rose and Casey for Great Britain then - Not bad at all!

I'm looking forward to it - hopefully it will inspire a few people as well to get into the sport.

A little sad but I'm also looking forward to getting myself some GBR golf apparel too!

[rob0225]

I think golf in the Olympics is silly anyway.

[billchao]

  rob0225 said:

I think golf in the Olympics is silly anyway.

Why?

[Rip62]

I was hoping there would be some kind of team format like they do in gymnastics to go along with the individual competition. Hopefully by 2020 they figure out a team format.

[mailman]

Rip62, Same here, I was hoping for a team format along the lines of the Ryder Cup with match play, foursomes and individuals to round things off...all being played by the best amateurs. I'm sure it's going to be an enjoyable event regardless but golf has missed a trick here. Mailman

[ridgewalker]

I personally could foresee the Olympics becoming the fifth major of sorts.  I'm a big hockey fan and most of the NHL players seem to treat the olympics as just a small step below the Stanley Cup.  I imagine that the allure of being an Olympian, staying in the athlete's village, being part of the opening/closing ceremonies, and potentially getting a gold medal will draw a lot of interest among the PGA players.

For some reason, I always thought Tiger would win the first gold medal in golf.  Doesn't look like that'll happen though.

[rkim291968]

  rob0225 said:

I think golf in the Olympics is silly anyway.

No more silly than trampoline, synchronized swimming, equestrian, kayak, race walking, rhythmic gymnastic, ...

[rob0225]

  billchao said:

Why?

I just don't think golf is a sport that should be played in the Olympics.