Golf makes a bid for the Olympics

Golf may be making a comeback at the Olympics after 100 years. Golf is one of seven sports presenting their cases for inclusion in the Olympic Games. The sports for the London 2012 have already been decided so the seven other sports will have to wait until October to find out if they have a place in the 2016 games. 

The IOC set a limit of 28 sports in 2016 meaning the sports will fight over the last two available spots.  The program commission is chaired by Italian Franco Carraro, one of eight IOC members on the panel questioning the delegations before presenting a report to the executive board.

Every sport has a one hour slot to say why the sport should be in the Olympics. Golf last appeared in the Olympics in 1904 and proposes to return with men’s and women’s tournaments. The golf delegation includes USPGA executive Ty Votaw and Peter Dawson of the Royal and Ancient. Votaw said, “speaking with one voice, bringing top players, and worldwide participation,” with the sport televised in 216 countries each week. 

“We would be able to promote golf in the Olympics and the Olympic movement across that platform every single week,” Votaw said.