The International Golf Federation (IGF) has submitted an application to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), requesting that golf be placed on the program of the 2008 Olympic Games. The following information summarizes this application.

History

• The origins of golf began over 4,500 years ago with ball and stick games
• The modern sport developed as early as the 15th century in Scotland
• Mary, Queen of Scots, was an active golfer in the late 16th century
• Golf was on the program of the 1900 and 1904 Olympic Games
• The IGF formed in 1958 and became the recognized International Federation for the IOC in 1991
• Golf was scheduled to be on the program of the Olympic Games in 1908, 1916, and 1996, but did not materialize; it was an exhibition sport in 1920

Meeting IOC Requirements

• Golf is played on all the continents, in at least 132 countries by over 60 million men and women; there are now over 30,000 golf courses and facilities around the globe
• The IGF has begun anti-doping procedures and has very few, if any, perennial doping issues
• International competitions in golf are held frequently
• The first women's golf competition was held in 1810 in Scotland; the first women's golf organization formed in Scotland in the 1860's; women competed in golf in the 1900 Olympic Games

Strengths of Golf in the Olympic Games

• Courses already exist, no expensive venues need be built
• Manageable numbers of athletes - only 100 overall (50 men and 50 women)
• Objective Scoring
• No time or cost consuming qualifying necessary (see below)
• Golf is environmentally friendly and occurs in a natural setting
• Golf is a healthy and popular spectator sport, as the fans walking the course often feel like they're at a park
• Golf is a natural paralympic sport; many advances have been made in this regard

Eligibility

• Any country represented in the top 300 of the accepted world rankings may send their two highest ranking players, subject to a pre-determined maximum number of players from each continent
• Any country not having two players listed in the top 300 may nominate one player to be considered for one of 7 wild card spots in the field; these are to be distributed between the continents and selected by the IGF Administrative Committee

Format

• Two practice rounds, one each day
• Four competition rounds, one each day
• Individual stroke play competitions for men and women

Strengths of the Sport

• Golf is a game that offers healthy physical activity for a lifetime
• Due to tee locations, the handicap system, and "A Modification of the Rules for Golfers with a Disability," a fair game of golf can be enjoyed between players of all ages, gender, and ability
• Golf is a game of honor that builds integrity; players call Rules infractions on themselves
• The major organizations within the IGF have granted more than $US 98 million to golf development around the world, often focusing these funds on juniors and minorities
• US$ 47 million in golf scholarship money is available to some 11,000 male and female student athletes to study at universities in the United States alone
• Golf is an extremely popular sport for television viewing