What does the man who in 1896 created the Olympic Games in their modern version think four years later to introduce golf in the second edition which took place in Paris? 112 years have passed between the 1904 edition in St Louis, Missouri and the return of golf to the Olympics in 2016 in Rio, Brazil. Golf, now the leading individual sport with 80 million practitioners in 130 countries, will face its fate next year in Tokyo. At the end of the Games, the Olympic Committee will in fact decide whether after the Paris Olympics in 2024, golf “deserves” to continue to figure among the Olympic sports in 2028 in Los Angeles.

The Brazilian version that took place three years ago was controversial to say the least. The construction of the course located on a swamp in the Marapendi nature reserve, west of the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, and entrusted to the American Gil Hanse (and his compatriot, the 63 spring champion, Amy Alcott at the head of the bow) was tormented. Despite the presence of 300 endangered species, recurrent water pollution and a certain “opacity! »As for property rights, the architectural result, harmonious and respectful of the environment, was nevertheless beautifully made. With the sum of 20 million dollars, however modest cost for the construction of the course (www.news.com.au, February 13, 2019) in view of the various and varied investments related to the Games, the detractors of the project believe that these funds would have could be redirected towards programs intended for young people ...

Photo: DR

Obviously, the Olympic spirit presupposes the dissemination of sport across borders, but in this South American country, only 20,000 practitioners are listed out of 211 million inhabitants (Golf Digest, July 19, 2016). Greg Norman, the dogmatic 64-year-old Australian, double winner of the British Open, believes that the national enthusiasm of countries with a long golfing tradition, such as England or Australia, would have lavished an enthusiasm of a completely different litter (The Sunday Times, July 19, 2016). Of course, more could have been accomplished, particularly in terms of promotion and mobilization of fans via social networks, which have now become essential for the younger generation.

To top it off, the three best golfers of the moment, the Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy, the American Jordan Spieth or the Australian Jason Day declined the invitation because of… "the Zika virus". Worse (!), McIlroy torn by the choice of the country to represent, once again lost his way and declared that "(finally) he did not feel any obligation to participate because he had not played this game for ends. to promote it ”(The Guardian, July 12, 2016). Undoubtedly, the Olympic Games, more associated with Athletics and amateurism, at the time were of little importance compared to Major tournaments.

Added to this is the qualification system limited to four players per country and which did not allow either to bring together the world elite composed three years ago, mainly by the USA, Great Britain and Australia.

It is true that the proposed date, straddling the end of July and the beginning of August, is not ideal in an already very busy international calendar. For the women whose competition begins three days after that of the men, it risks the next year to be inserted between two Major tournaments; the Evian Championship and the British Open.

Despite the controversies and improvements still possible, the Brazilian edition remains a sporting success with the victory of the best golfer in the field, the English Justin Rose. Winner of the PGA Championship in 2013 and current 7th player in the world, he was followed by the Swedish at the Claret Jug * 1, Henrik Stenson and the American Matt Kuchar (21st in the world). The score of 62, the lowest of the event, men and women combined, and achieved by the lovely 33-year-old Russian, Maria Verchenova (346th in the world in 2016) or the leader after two rounds, the 21-year-old Indian , Aditi Ashok, (462nd worldwide three years ago, now 155th), legitimized the highlighting of nations hitherto little exposed.

As for Tiger Woods' declaration last week, when he came to Chiba prefecture, on the occasion of the "Japan-Skins Game", to wish to appear in the American team next year (Golf Channel, 18 October 2019), it is timely! His presence immediately implies a media coverage doubled ... In the same vein, Rory McIlroy has just turned around and announced that he too would be happy to be present and represent Ireland (Golf Channel, October 22 2019); everything happens!

Admittedly, the course, now the first public course in Rio and managed by the Brazilian Federation, represents a first step in a country which must regain its middle class of 2009 (date of the attribution of the Games) to attract more golfers.

In 2020, Japan, a stable archipelago with a fascinating culture, which will host its fourth Games and which brilliantly won the Canada Cup * 2 in 1957 on this same ground, constitutes the ideal forum. In terms of good news, the Kasumigaseki Club was also forced two years ago by the Olympic Committee to modify its policy in favor of women to accept them in its midst. He also took the opportunity to remodel his layout with the American architect Tom Fazio (the consultant of Augusta National in Georgia) and his eldest son Logan who takes up the torch.

The Land of the Rising Sun also benefits from a valiant standard bearer in the person of Hideki Matsuyama, 27 years old and 31st best player on the planet. By winning on the same track in 2010, the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, he became the first Japanese amateur to qualify for the Augusta Masters and held the fifth place of the most popular sportsman of the archipelago last year. (Central Research Services, 2018).

The "East" course of Kasumigaseki, host of the 2020 Games - Photo: DR

Like the 2014 US Open in Pinehurst, North Carolina, the Olympics shed great light on the women's game. So they play the same championship, on the same ground and for the same stakes. Less fortunate than the men, they did not spoil their pleasure of participating in 2016. So why not go further and benefit in particular from the success of the Solheim Cup * 3 last September and the supposed resumption of dialogue between the LPGA * 4 and LET * 5, to change format and offer a mixed match play tournament.

This electrifying formula of play, far from the traditional 72 holes of stroke play, often off-putting, would restore the team spirit, dear to the precepts of Olympism. Of course, one should avoid the four balls or any other "fantasy" to concentrate on the "dramatic" foursome * 6 (or even the greensome * 7). In order to simplify its execution, only the best eight teams in the world ranking would qualify. The two-major winner, 34-year-old American Stacy Lewis is convinced: "There is no doubt that this kind of format would make the competition a lot more fun" (PGA Tour, August 22, 2016). Unique, it would also grant itself the luxury of standing out from the Ryder Cup and the Presidents Cup * 8.

A revisited, modern and inclusive format would prove to the sporting world the ability of golf, whose history began in its current form in the XNUMXth century, to evolve with the times without losing its noble values ​​of friendship, respect and 'Excellency. Welcome back Monsieur le Baron!

Kristel Mourgue d'Algue

* 1 The "Claret Jug" designates the cup offered to the winner of the British Open * 2 Old name of the World Cup * 3 The female counterpart of the Ryder Cup * 4 Ladies Professional Golf Association
* 5 Ladies European Tour
* 6 Alternative formula with two players, where each must choose to drive the even or odd holes
* 7 Alternative two-player formula, where two golfers drive at each hole, choose the best ball and then play alternately
* 8 Biennial match, alternating with the Ryder Cup, which pits the United States men's team against an international men's team (outside Europe)