Golf and the Olympics: Examining the history of golf in the Olympics, from its inclusion in the games in 1900 to its current status as an Olympic sport

Golf has a rich history with the Olympics, dating back to its inclusion in the games in 1900. Since then, golf has been featured in the Olympics multiple times, with its current status as an Olympic sport being a topic of much discussion.

Golf was first included in the Olympics in 1900, as part of the Paris Games. At that time, the tournament was open to men and women, and it was won by a Frenchman, Charles Sands. However, golf was not included in the 1904 Olympics, and it would not be included again until the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. This 108-year gap between Olympic golf competitions was the longest gap of any sport in the modern Olympic era.

During this time, golf was not considered a priority for the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and many believed that it was not a suitable sport for the Olympics due to its lack of global popularity. However, with the sport’s growing popularity, the IOC began to reconsider its inclusion in the Olympics. The PGA Tour, the European Tour, and other golf organizations began to push for the inclusion of golf in the Olympics, arguing that it would help to grow the sport and increase its global popularity.

Finally, in 2009, the IOC voted to include golf in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The tournament was a great success, with the men's and women's competitions both being won by golfers from the United States. Golf was also included in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but it was held without the presence of fans due to the pandemic.

Golf has an interesting history with the Olympics, dating back to its inclusion in the games in 1900. The sport has only been included in the Olympics a few times, and its current status as an Olympic sport is a topic of much discussion. As the sport has grown in global popularity, and following the IOC reconsideration of its inclusion, it is likely that golf will continue to be included in future Olympic games.