The Olympic Golf Impact, Russian Edition

An unbylined Russian Television story pretty much lays out the scenario that International Golf Federation organizers and Olympic golf boosters predicted about including the game as part of the Olympics. Namely, the push to develop players in places that traditionally have not funded or paid attention to golf. Like Russia.

One of the main prospects is Vladimir Osipov. He is just 16, and would turn 21 at the Rio Olympics.

The Games will see the return of golf, after just two appearances, early in the 20th century. But to make an Olympic dream come true, players need to dig deep.

“Of course I want to go to the Olympics,” he said. “But, to give myself a chance, I need to be high up in the world rankings. So I'll have to turn pro soon and start racking up ranking points, and improve my game.”

For this season, the youngster is setting his sights on the European Amateur Team Championships in Portugal in September, and then probably the World event.

The Russian national side are fresh from a training camp in America and local trainers praised their progress as a unit.

But the sport's officials are after strong performances, not just words of approval.

“To go to the Rio Olympics, golfers will need to rocket up the world rankings,” Nikolay Afanasiev from Russia’s Golf Association said.

Comments

[Ryan]

The fun thing is: As of right now, he probably has a better chance of making the Olympics than Webb Simpson, Matt Kuchar or Ian Poulter

[Ivan Morris]

There is very little appreciation for how difficult and complex the game golf is.....................................meanwhile, at the Home of Golf (Scotland) where the game has always been strongest, it is losing players in a steady drip of 2% per annum. One Olympic golfer from Russia won't solve that problem.

[carnaptious and camsteerie]

Ivan ... re St. Andrews, can't say I'm really surprised by this. Always seems to me the Links Trust is more interested in making money these days that caring for the local members. Ironic really given that's the reason it was set up in the first place ...

[Ivan Morris]

Hi Carnaptious - are you a St. Andrew's resident? The Links Trust may try to fleece unsuspecting visitors but I didn't get the impression that they did likewise to the locals. I wouldn't be a frequent enough visitor to The Home of Golf to understand all of the nuances. Suffice to say St. Andrew's is an amazing, 'atmospheric' place and The Old Course is far from being the best course there.

[Ivan Morris]

Exactly what the growth of golf needs is public access courses across South-East Asia and elsewhere. Glad to see it will be among the topics of discussion at December’s Asia Pacific Golf Summit in the oil-rich Sultanate of Brunei. Cost and access is the key to golf's future!

[Ivan Morris]

.....and slowing down the ball..................and all that follows from that single intervention. But, will the R & A and USGA see sense?

[carnaptious and camsteerie]

Used to be Ivan, a long time ago. Now domiciled in the Highlands. Big part of my heart is still there though. There's just something about the place ... as you say "atmospheric".

In so far as the Links Trust is concerned, I was really referring more to access issues for the locals and how increasingly difficult it has become over the years to get a game over the Old Course. Rightly or wrongly, it also occurred to me that the real reason the Castle Course was built was to shift the local population up there to take the pressure off the Old Course although having played it, I have to admit that I can't think of a course less suited for a stroke play format. And, yes, I accept there are other very good courses in St. Andrews but the one that is most atmospheric is, without exception, the Old Course. Anyone in possession of a golf soul can't fail to be moved by the timeless sight, on rounding the loop, of the Auld Grey Toon with setting sun at one's back.

[Ivan Morris]

Thank you, Carny! It's always nice to have the local, insider's view of things. See you in the 'Heelands' sometime?

[carnaptious and camsteerie]

Cheers Ivan. Well ... there's a wee tournament taking place at Castle Stuart in July .. so, I might 'see' you there.(lol)

Speaking of which (and I'm into full blethering mode now) anyone flying into Inverness Airport from the Loch Ness side is in for real treat. As the plane drops down, it flies parallel to the course and you get thee most stunning views of it.

[bob]

"....Anyone in possession of a golf soul can't fail to be moved by the timeless sight, on rounding the loop, of the Auld Grey Toon with setting sun at one's back."

and that view is so much more soothing whan you are secure in the knowledge that you paid a fraction of market value to play, while someone else, preferably from out of town and "able" to pay, is underwriting the maintenance costs you benefit from .

[carnaptious and camsteerie]

Just for the record ... bob ... the view is free to everyone ... even furriners. As for course maintenance, if you had known anything about links golf then you ought to have known that less is more but even the Old Lady has a limit to the number of hackers she can cope with.

I just have one more word to say to you ... WUM!