Golfs leading governing bodies have appointed former LPGA commissioner Ty Votaw to head their efforts to have golf included as an Olympic sport by 2016. Ty Votaw will take a break from his role as executive vice president of the PGA Tour to focus on his new task, which will see him represent both the American and European Tours, Augusta National Golf Club, the LPGA, the PGA of America, the Royal and Ancient and the US Golf Association.
The International Olympic Committee are scheduled to decide in October 2009 on whether there will be changes in the Olympic program for 2016, as well as choosing a host city from Chicago, Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro and Madrid. The IOC are expected to add no more than two new sports for the 2016 games, with baseball, softball, rugby, roller sports, squash and karate vying with golf for the new spots. Golf hasnt been on the Olympic program since 1904.
PGA Commissioner Tin Finchem spoke of the benefits of getting golf onto the Olympic program, citing the incredible impact it could potentially have on growing the game around the world, particularly in areas that are fledgling in their current development of the game.
