Page 12 - GBC Fall Eng 2016

GREG noRMan
Chairman & CEO Great White Shark Enterprises, 2-time British Open champion, Member - World Golf Hall of Fame
“With golf becoming an Olympic sport, the international growth of the game will increase exponentially. There are 118 member countries in the International Golf Federation, many of which will now receive government funding to support grassroots development.
“A golf explosion is imminent in many parts of the world. My hope is the return of golf to the Olympics will be a success in the eyes of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and they vote it back as a medal sport after 2020 in Tokyo.
“But, my fear is they have chosen the wrong place to reintroduce golf, as Brazil is a country where golf is not exactly mainstream. If our sport would have returned to Australia, England or the United States, where golf courses are of a higher quality, then the delivery would have been a lot cleaner.
“There is so much underlying uncertainty about the course in Brazil and the structure on the periphery, with the ownership and environmental concerns. This worries me. It is an important moment because if we fail, then golf won’t get back in for another 100 years.
“Golf benefits society and accelerating the growth of the game and expanding its accessibility will improve the quality of life for those who are introduced to its positive values. The Olympics will be crucial to effectively communicate golf’s economic, human, and environmental contributions to society.”
BRookE HEndERSon
KPMG Women’s PGA Champion, Member - Canadian Olympic Team
“The Olympics is something that I’ve looked forward to almost my entire life. As a young girl, I remember watching the Winter and Summer Games and watching the athletes and the passion, the desire and the hard work that they had put in. I wanted to be one of those athletes, but I didn’t know what sport.
“I got lucky a few years ago when golf was re-announced into the Games. It’s the ideal scenario. For the game too. If mine and Alena’s (Sharp) playing in the Olympics inspires other young boys and girls, if they see us doing that, maybe even winning a medal and standing on the podium, it’s a win for the sport.”
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Golf Business Canada