One of the stories I think will gain quite a bit of attention over the coming weeks will be the proposal to bring golf back to the Olympics. Graham Dunbar of USA Today wrote a brief article today about the idea, and it is thought provoking. I think that it is an excellent idea, however, I think that concessions must be made in order for the event to draw the elite status that it should.
Golf has grown substantially over the last decade in terms of its international presence, one perfect example being the World Golf Championships. Since their inception back in 1999, these tournaments have brought the world's best together to play on golf's best courses. I would suggest that during Olympic years, these championships be limited in number, as the format in the proposed Olympic events matches that of three of the WGC events:
"The IGF proposal calls for 72-hole stroke play tournaments for men and women, with 60 players in each field. Three-hole playoffs will decide the medal places. The world's top 15 players will gain automatic entry with remaining places filled by the highest-ranked players whose countries don't already have two players in the field."
Again, I think the WGC events have been successful, but the Olympic events would be that much more unique if it were one of the few truly international competitions of the year.
Anyone else with thoughts?
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