Question of the week [August 5-11]: What changes, if any, would you make to the Olympic golf competition?
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I would have a mixed team competition comprised of two men and two women from a nation. It's a wonderful way to grow the game and it has worked incredibly well in the pool and on the track. If you look at these two other examples, you will find the entertainment value of these mixed team competitions to be exceedingly high. I am convinced it would be great for the game of golf.
Reid Farrill
Toronto, Ontario
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Seems straightforward and simple to me.
The Olympics are a natural for an individual and team match play format. Many other Olympic events are formatted similarly and tete-a-tete single elimination competition for both individual and team would be really fun, interesting, and wildly popular to all but a few of the spoiled professional practitioners.
Imagine melding the Ryder and Presidents Cup into a feature that actually expands the fan base and human interest?
Of course, this is just another pipe dream as we know the powers that be will never elevate real growth of the game above their overt quest for more money.
Steven Lapper
Far Hills, New Jersey
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Nothing. I know that the idea of mixed team competition has been suggested, but if men and women have not played together and are then thrown together to compete, it makes little sense.
The majors have history going for them. The fact that this is held only every four years with a limited, but global, field makes this uniquely special.
Mark Kazich
Darien, Illinois
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No changes to the current format, but perhaps add team medals for the countries based upon the best score of the top two players from each country. Tie scores would be awarded duplicate medals without the necessity of a playoff.
James Brock
Atlanta, Georgia
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Add a competition of only amateurs. Best from each country. No pros whatsoever.
T. Parker Gallagher
Reston, Virginia
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Increase the size of the field by having four players from 18 to 20 countries. Add a team championship competition, thereby doubling the number of medals awarded.
Dennis Brissette
Heathrow, Florida
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Front: Italy's Alessandra Fanali during the practice round of the 2024 Paris Olympics Womne's Golf Competition at Le Golf National in Guyancourt, Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France. Photo: Stefano Di Maria / Golffile.