New Zealand Golf headlines its thoughts on golf’s inclusion in the 2016 Olympics:
“Olympic Lure for burgeoning New Zealand golf talent”
Dean Murphy, the acting CEO for New Zealand Golf has said, “…the Olympics from 2016 will offer significant benefits for sport in this country.”

It is to be hoped that in the coming years the goal of going for gold will act as an incentive for not only New Zealand professional golfers. But amateur golfers as well.
According to NZG, if the Olympics were held today, “David Smail (world ranked 108) and Lee (125) would represent New Zealand in the men and professionals Lynnette Brooky and Sarah Nicholson in the women.”

The actual format for Olympic qualification has yet to be formalized but at the present time the Olympic committee’s thoughts are along the lines of: The top 15 players in the money list regardless of their country of origin. Followed by the next 45 players from the world rankings with a maximum of two per country that do not have two or more in the top 15.

Based on the above numbers and the present state of New Zealand golf then it can be said it’s not going to be an easy task for New Zealand golfers to qualify for the 2016 Olympics.

It can be done but those who aspire to follow their golden dream will need lots of help, financially and tutorially.
On the matter of tuition, some time ago I discussed the possible reasons for the Swede’s success at golf. Sweden, a country which has about twice the population size of NZ and yet per capita has a far better presence in the top echelon of golfers on the world golf scene.

The questions are why. And is it worth having an in-depth look at their teaching model? Of course we could take a look at what they are doing right on the other side of the Tasman. But that’s a tough call for the guy(s) who have to make it.

And while on the subject of Australia, here’s one Senior (Yea! it’s a pun) Australian golfer’s thoughts on golf in the Olympics.

Brent Read commenting on his talk to Peter Senior says:

Although the Olympics will use world rankings to select eligible players, Senior pointed out the World Cup has used a similar format and battled to lure the sport's elite in recent years.

Senior, one of the country's most successful professionals, admitted the Olympics would likely sit fifth -- at best -- among the tournaments coveted by professional players.
"Somebody said it the other day -- if you could get a gold medal at the Olympic Games, a British Open or a US Masters, which would you choose?" Senior said.
"Certainly, it would be the Masters or the British Open. The only thing I hope doesn't happen is what's happened to the World Cup (of golf), where they can't attract the world's best players. Here’s the link to Brent Read’s article

Last week I mentioned I’d found a great web site for serious students of the golf swing.
Now here’s a link to the same site discussing, “Causes and Cure of a Slice”

Slainte

Stan