Golf by David McPherson Canada Goes for Olympic Golf Gold; Men Look to Defend Medal The Triumphant, Controversial, Long-Awaited Return of the Sport to The Games The countdown is on. In fewer than 35 days, the world’s best athletes will convene in Rio de Janeiro for the Games of the XXXI Olympiad. What makes this year’s Summer Olympics even more of an anticipated event than usual – especially for those of us who love to chase a little white ball around our local muni or religiously follow the PGA TOUR every weekend – is that it’s the first time we will witness golf in the international competition. In 2016, the sport makes its triumphant return after a 112-year hiatus. From August 5-21, Canadians and sports enthusiasts from coast to coast and from around the world are sure to camp in front of their TVs during these dog days of summer. PVRs will be set and families will gather to watch the Summer Games, which arrive for the first time in South America. For many of today’s top professional golfers, the opportunity which they never thought they would have has arrived: to compete for a gold medal. The Olympic golf competition takes place on August 11-14 for the men and August 12-15 for the women. Golfers – both men and women – will compete on a brandnew course in Rio, built exclusively forThe Games. Designed by Gill Hanse, the Olympic course should challenge players, and scores will be higher or lower depending on the prevailing coastal winds. Some may cry foul. Golf in the Olympics, you say? That’s not a sport! Hang on dear reader; before you list why golf should not be an Olympic sport, let me share a few of the reasons why the return of this four-letter word which causes players so much pleasure and pain deserves to be in Rio this summer – and in future Games, for that matter. The Olympic spirit is best expressed in the Olympic Creed: “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered, but to have fought well.” Often referred to as “the gentleman’s game,” golf embodies this same spirit. The sport teaches one to play by the rules of the grand old game; it values honesty above all else. If you do something wrong, you call a penalty on yourself. You keep your own score. Etiquette is also adhered to, fromnot talking during your playing partner’s backswing to not walking across their line on the putting green. Finally, you’ll get no argument here, (especially from this scribe) that the sport causes players, no matter your handicap, their fair share of struggles. Golf was last contested atThe Olympic Games in 1904. What you may not know, and one more reason to get excited about the sport’s return, is that a Canadian – George S. Lyon – won the men’s gold in the match play event held at Glen Echo Country club in St. Louis. Lyon, an insurance salesman, didn’t start playing golf until he was in his late 30s, at Rosedale Golf Club in the summer of 1895. He was widely known for his athletic prowess in other sports, notably cricket. Like many a natural athlete, however, once he picked up a golf club, the challenge of self-competition and natural co-ordination overtook any lack of training. Before long, he ranked among the best players in Toronto. At Glen Echo, Lyon beat the heavily favoured and reigning U.S. amateur champion, Chandler Egan – a long hitter by that generation’s standards who had also won the pre-tournament long-drive contest. Egan was less than half George’s age, but went down 3-and-2 over the 36-hole final. Lyon was 46, probably the oldest player in the field and, as a statement to those who doubted him, the story goes that he accepted his medal by walking to the podium on his hands. 38 | www.snowbirds.org
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MzMzNzMx