Shark: Seve Got Ball Rolling On Golf's Olympic Return

Bill Dwyre attended an Omega gathering and talked to Greg Norman who gave Seve and his ownself a bit of credit for starting the ball rolling on golf's return to the Olympic Games.

I have no idea whether it's accurate or not, but considering the source, I'm going to call nonsense on this one.

"I remember when it started," Norman said. "It was a practice round, in 1984, here at Wentworth [England]. We were getting ready for a World Match Play . . . Seve mentioned the Olympics, and I was kind of taken aback. I hadn't thought about it, didn't know much about the concept."

But Ballesteros wanted Norman on board, and Norman studied the concept thoroughly. After Ballesteros died of cancer last year at 54, Norman helped keep the campaign alive, while never forgetting Ballesteros' role.

"I give Seve as much credit as anybody," Norman said. "And here we are today, talking about golf in the Olympics."

And while we're making it up as we go...

But Norman said that although losing upset him, it remains too important to golf to take advantage of this opportunity for the international boost the Olympics can bring.

"If we don't do this well," he said, "and don't get golf back in the 2020 Games, then shame on us."

Ah, psst, Gregster, golf's in 2020 no matter how dull the 72-hole stroke play is in '16. Just an FYI for you, our Olympic golf leader.

Interestingly, Helen Ross reviews the Olympic golf movement, what players are saying and updates the progress of the Rio course and somehow never mentions Norman's role. And it's not an oversight on her part.

Comments

[big john]

Wasn't Norman also responsible for the internet?

[Phil]

What happened to his hair--is he parting it in the middle now?

[JT]

Twenty eight years later Seve's dream is realized, so he's got that going for him. Maybe the IOC can stamp Seve's likeness on the back of the medals.

[rb]

How much more must we take from this ego-centric buffoon?

[chicago pt]

maybe if he had gotten a green jacket he wouldnt have these issues

[RGT]

rb

Most were thinking after the interview with Feherty aired these sorta things would die down.

[Mike Clayton]

It was Peter Thomson's idea to make a world tour - his influence over that was, I assume, more important than Seve's role in Olympic golf.
Greg maybe never understood (or even knew of) Thomson's arguments but he did not acknowledge that it was Thomson's idea - and not his.

[Michael]

As far as I know golf is NOT definitely in the 2020 olympics. There will be a review ahead of those games

[canaptious and camsteerie]

"If you win a bronze medal, you are a hero. If you finish third in a golf tournament, you are a choker. That's what we should all take away from the Olympics."

... but finishing in second place doesn't?

So then Greggy boy, let's talk about prizemoney in the Olympics. How exactly does that work at the Olympics these days?

[Mike C]

Sorry to move off the topic but does Norman look about 82 in the above photo?

[hh morant]

I attended the IGF meeting in Buenos Aires in 2010...chaired by Hyler and Dawson, that pushed through its constitution (which would make an interesting topic in itself)
We were told that golf was assured a place in both 2016 and 2020, but a meeting of the IOC in 2018 would decide if the sport would continue to be included past 2020

[Geoff]

Michael,
There will be a review for beyond 2020, but it's in for 2020 no matter what:

http://www.betus.com.pa/sports-betting/other/articles/golf-and-rugby-added-to-2016-2020-summer-olympics/

[big john]

Norman needs to book an appointment with The Donald's hairstylist. Wouldn't that be hilarious if both Norman and Trump had the same syle hairdo. Trump would be livid.

[Press Agent]

Other people may have had ideas for a world tour, but like him or not, Norman was the guy that brought it to the forefront as an issue and he took the abuse to prove it. Things were a lot different on the tour then and they closed ranks on him, made things very unpleasant. We know today the idea was spot on and it's exactly what golf needs, however Tim Finchem had to torpedo Greg and his ideas to make sure he could continue to control as much as possible and justify his massive salary and bonuses. Thus, we don't have a proper world tour, we have some watered down "events" that fall far short of what should have been done.

[Ummm]

Why is everyone so damn mean in these comments? Who cares whether it was Seve or Norman or Peter Thomson? And sure, golf may not make it past 2020...

But it will be in the next Olympics and it's an exciting thing for the game. It proves it's an international sport and it will be fun to watch. It took many people for golf to make it into the games and we should celebrate the achievement together. Instead, the same hackneyed commenters on this site spout the same smarmy comments and let the opportunity for robust discussion about the game pass them by.

[johnnycz]

The sooner golf makes it's 2nd (and last) exit from the Olympics the better...it's all a bunch of b.s. when you look at it objectively. 20+ years ago, it was totally different compared to how out of hand the marketing and "pomp" that's involved today just in staging a global 2 week sports "camp".

Case in point: McDonalds (y'know...that well respected bastion of nutritious-vittles and global promoter of healthy lifestyles) is the official food sponsor for the top athletes/sportsmen on the planet????!!!!!!!!!

Right there and then the Olympic "idea" lost it's credibility IMO....Cheque please!