Gold is the new green in 2016
With the official inclusion of golf to the Olympics for the first time in over a century, players from around the globe are excited about the opportunity to accomplish something even Tiger Woods has not – yet. Rio de Janeiro will host the games in 2016 with golf finally in the spotlight on the world stage. So who will it be? Who will rise to the top? Who will set the bar for future Olympic quality golf course maintenance?
The venue is still yet to be determined for arguably the biggest 72-hole tournament ever, meaning superintendants from the Rio region are eagerly awaiting a decision to get busy on possible renovations and plans to prepare their course for what is sure to be a highlight of their career. With an audience that encompasses the planet, all eyes will of course, be on the stars of the sport; but there will be some of us who won’t help but notice the work that goes into creating conditions fit for a world champion.
I think just working on the grounds crew at the Olympics would be a special experience, even if it was just as a volunteer for the event. The experience gained over the next seven years for those lucky enough to be part of the entire process is almost invaluable the way I see it. The golf course that is selected will undoubtedly go through a major overhaul that would provide more hands on knowledge about the job than most people will get to experience over many years. It should be fun. Go Canada!
If the Olympics pick up golf, the Pan Am Games surely will too, if they don’t already. And with the Pan Am Games coming to Toronto, maybe our turf students will have a chance to get involved…another rare opportunity, as you say.