Golf could use some Olympic fervor. (AP Photo)
The International Golf Federation rolled out its big guns today when Jack Nicklaus and Annika Sorenstam were introduced as “global ambassadors” for the effort to make golf an Olympic sport.
Golf hasn’t been part of the Olympics since its debut in1904, when only the United States and Canada fielded players. Seven sports are vying to gain Olympic status for the 2016 Games – baseball, karate, roller sports, rugby sevens, softball, squash and golf. The Olympic charter limits the Summer Games to 28 sports. The 2012 London Games will feature 26, meaning only two of the seven applicants for 2016 will be added.
With Nicklaus and Sorenstam campaigning on its behalf, the International Golf Federation hopes to persuade the International Olympic Committee that the game’s biggest names – and top TV draws – have embraced the movement and will be enthusiastic participants. (The IGF, comprised of 116 national governing bodies representing 111 countries, is recognized by the IOC as golf’s official Olympic lobbyist.)
“Golf’s Olympic bid is of enormous importance to the game,” said Peter Dawson, head of the R&A and co-chair of the IGF. “Not only will it enhance the competitive landscape of our sport, but it will also do an enormous amount to assist the growth of the game, especially in countries where golf is relatively new, and where Olympic sports receive a lot more attention than non-Olympic sports.”
Efforts to have golf added to the Olympic program in Atlanta, Beijing and London went nowhere. The IOC took note that PGA Tour was against the concept, fearing it would siphon fan interest and marquee players from the Tour during Olympic years. Commissioner Tim Finchem finally gave in last year to mounting pressure from the R&A, the U.S. Golf Association and other members of the International Federation of PGA Tours and agreed to support the initiative. (Olympics Examiner Meri-Jo Borzilleri believes Finchem should have stuck to his guns, arguing that the Olympic Games don't need golf, and golf doesn't need the Games.)
To demonstrate good faith, Finchem lent Ty Votaw, his Executive Vice President of Communications and International Affairs (and former commissioner of the LPGA), to serve as executive director of the IGF Olympic Golf Committee. Meanwhile, the game’s ruling bodies and pro tours last year implemented an anti-doping policy (again over Finchem’s resistence) in order to be in compliance with Olympic regulations.
Votaw may be the Olympic golf movement’s spokesman, but Dawson is the driving force. The R&A has a much broader world view than the PGA Tour, and it is eager for golf to gain Olympic status – as should the golf industry at large – because struggling golf federations in neophyte golf nations figure to gain an infusion of government cash, which in turn would enable them to train athletes capable of competing on the Olympic stage. Interest in the game would surge, the theory goes, and translate into more golf consumers worldwide. Think about China’s medal dominance at the Beijing Games. If the China Golf Federation got the same government support as the nation’s gymnastics and swimming programs, it’s not difficult to envision a significantly more diverse competitive golf landscape by 2030, perhaps sooner.
A month ago, Votaw and Dawson made the IGF’s formal presentation to the IOC Program Commission. Next they must complete an IOC questionnaire the Program Committee will use to evaluate golf’s suitability for the Games. In June, they return to Switzerland for a second presentation to the IOC, this time accompanied by Nicklaus and Sorenstam. IOC members no doubt will pick up their phones and hear Jack or Annika on the line at least once before October, when golf’s fate will be decided in Denmark.
Votaw and Dawson expressed cautious optimism that the IOC will look favorably upon golf now that it’s presenting a unified front. They were asked what lingering objections need to be addressed before the IOC renders its decision.
“I don’t know if that’s been articulated to us in any kind of meaningful way,” Votaw said. “The reaction we’ve received back from the IOC members we’ve spoken with, and at the presentation we made in November, has been very positive.”
Votaw attended the Beijing Games, where he said Olympic officials did seek assurance that golf is “united in its effort to make this happen,” and that the top players supported the concept of Olympic participation.
“The other issue we have been asked about quite often is the golf calendar,” Dawson said. “Because we do have all the bodies represented … who have the power to adjust golf’s schedules, we have indicated to the IOC that if golf is successful in its Olympic bid, we will make sure that the schedules are adjusted in both the men’s game and women’s game to accommodate (the Olympics).”
Dawson added “an increasing number of present-day players are also lending their support. It’s quite a wave of support that we’re now experiencing. But to have two of the greatest figures in the game in Annika Sorenstam and Jack Nicklaus to join our bid as global ambassadors I’m quite sure is going to give our work a tremendous boost and a tremendous fillip.”
Maybe so, but Votaw hedged when asked how optimistic he was about golf's chances. He said the IGF Olympic Committee agreed it would “conduct the bid process in a manner that’s consistent with the values and the ethos of our sport. All you can do is do the best you can do. …If you shoot 63 and your opponent shoots 62, you’ve done the best you can."
In other words, let's hope two of the other six contenders for 2016 don't post red numbers.
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