Brazil

The Winter Olympics in Sochi are just around the corner. Russia is preparing to the focal point of world for two weeks as they host this prestigious event. The media is focusing on the facility, venues and treatment of the athletes. In two days, all this will stop and the focus will be on the athletes and their performance – exactly where it should be.

I particularly like the stories on the athletes training and dedication to their sport. How they found ways to overcome adversity and struggled to follow their dreams. I am not suggesting that everyone needs to struggle, but there are those who regardless of their circumstance rise to the top! This year proves to be an exciting year and Canada is expected to have their best showing ever. This is great news for the Great White North and I will be rooting them on the whole way.

Where does golf fit into the picture. In a previous post, Golf – an Olympic Sport, I mentioned that the 2016 Olympics are in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Golf will be reintroduced as an Olympic sport and the reigning Olympic Gold Medalist is Canadian George Lyon.

Limited to two countries back in 1904 (Canada and the USA) Rio organizers hope for at least 30 countries will be represented in both the men’s and women’s competitions, from all continents. “The proposed Olympic competition for both men and women is a 72-hole individual stroke play tournament, with the lowest score earning the gold medal. In case of a tie for either first, second or third place, a three-hole playoff will determine the medal winner(s).”

The International Golf Federation is stating that: “In both the men’s and women’s event, the top 15 world-ranked players will be eligible for the Olympic Games, regardless of the number of players from a given country. Beyond the top 15, players will be eligible based on world ranking, with a maximum of two available players from each country that does not already have two or more players among the top 15 to a maximum number of 60 players in total in the competition.”

I suggest the pundits will debate, argue and lament about how and who will qualify. It is quite possible that the current methodology is subject to change especially since the Rio Olympics are still two years away.

Golf at the Olympics is going to be exciting. But, until 2016 I will enjoy the Sochi Olympics and cheer on all the athletes especially the Canadians.

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

The World Cup 2014 is a long anticipated event. It is the world’s largest sporting event followed by millions of fanatic soccer (football) fans! Qualifying starts years prior to the event with hopeful nations vying for sports supremacy. On 12 June 14, Brazil will host this exciting event that will surely capture the world’s attention!

Golf does not have anything nearly exciting as the World Cup, however for golfing enthusiasts, the FedExCup would be considered that event. “The PGA TOUR season is divided into two segments – the FedExCup Season and the FedExCup Playoffs. The FedExCup Season generally includes events between the beginning of each calendar year and the middle of August, while the FedExCup Playoffs include four events from the middle of August until the middle of September.” This format matches the qualifying process for the World Cup, but this is where the similarities stop.

The FedExCup Playoffs opened on Aug. 22-25 with The Barclays at Liberty National Golf Course in New Jersey City, NJ, then shift to the Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston and BMW Championship at Conway Farms Golf Club outside of Chicago, before concluding on 23 September 2013 at the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. These playoff events whittled the field from 125 players to 30. But, where is the excitement; hype; the must watch matches?

The hype around the World Cup eclipses almost every event. Despite that soccer is the worlds most played sport, it brings a level of excitement to each match that is unmatched anywhere. The format of ‘one and done’ is the only way to conduct playoffs. After all the training, commitment, and dedication, the playoffs add extra spice to the mix. If a team loses in the playoffs they go home! Past performances do not matter; world rankings do not matter; all that matters is playing for the moment. Consider the greatest upset of all time, Uruguay over Brazil, 1950, demonstrated that at any given time, anyone can win! Talk about Sport is Everything!

The FedExCup….not so much. The limiting of the field through the final four tournaments is definitely a must! It does provide a level of excitement that peaks the interest of most sports enthusiasts. However, this is where real excitement for sports fans fades. The current FedExCup format does produce a strong field, but unfortunately format only ensures the big names in golf make it to the finals. There is no real “David and Goliath” excitement; the underdog remains under; and there is no last-minute heroic sand shot remembered for 60 years! The FedExCup playoffs is like watching the same group of players week in and week out win large purses without any real excitement. 8 of the top 10 ranked players in the FedExCup are also in the top 10 in the world! It is somewhat exciting for true golfing fans, but the current format does not generate the enthusiasm of a World Cup event.

The FedExCup should take a page from the World Cup. Have all the qualifying tournaments to set up the 125-man field to start the playoffs. Then, let the chips fall where they may. Lose and go home!

Adopt the World Cup way. Once the playoffs start, everything should be performance based. If a pro plays well, they make it to the next stage. If not, better luck next year. Regardless of their world ranking, it allows that 125th ranked player the opportunity to reach out and rip the title out of the hands of the giant.

This format will make for great golf! It will elevate the FedExCup to the ranks of a must see sporting events! All sport nuts remember the huge upset, but rarely remember the team that should have won. Creating excitement on any playing field is really what fans want!

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!