News

Grow the Game, Join the Olympics

The grand poobahs of the sport of golf believe golf needs to be an Olympic Sport in order to “Grow the Game”. David Fay, executive director of the USGA and chairman of the World Golf Foundation, Tim Finchem PGA Tour commissioner, Carolyn Bivens LPGA commissioner, Joe Steranka PGA of America CEO, Jim Armstrong Augusta National GM, Peter Dawson R&A chief executive, and George O’Grady European Tour CEO have agreed that this is an essential ingredient in achieving that goal.

Published

18 years ago

May 5, 2008

Eric Schuster

The grand poobahs of the sport of golf believe golf needs to be an Olympic Sport in order to "Grow the Game".

David Fay, executive director of the USGA and chairman of the World Golf Foundation, Tim Finchem PGA Tour commissioner, Carolyn Bivens LPGA commissioner, Joe Steranka PGA of America CEO, Jim Armstrong Augusta National GM, Peter Dawson R&A chief executive, and George O’Grady European Tour CEO have agreed that this is an essential ingredient in achieving that goal. I can’t help but wonder why this particular group has come out from behind the walls of their individual Kingdoms to join a crusade to gain access to a Kingdom as corrupt as the that run by the International Olympic Committee. Altruism is not something of which these power purveyors could be convicted. Thus the answer clearly becomes financial gain, both outwardly "for the good of the game" and less visibly for each Kingdom.

How bad is the IOC? Here’s a recent quote from Jacques Rogge the Poobah’s poobah of the IOC: "For us, freedom of expression is something that is absolute. It’s a human right," said Mr. Rogge. "There are small restrictions in not making propaganda or demonstrations in Olympic venues, like on the podium. . . . We are a movement of 205 nationalities, and many of these nationalities are in conflict with each other," Rogge said. The IOC will provide athletes with guidance on what constitutes propaganda, he added, "and we’ll do this with a lot of common sense." In other words freedom of expression is absolute, but we’re going to put a few restrictions on what can be said and done. Hmmm I think I’d really be anxious to clasp hands with this guy.

Remember the bribery scandals surrounding the Salt Lake City games 10 IOC members resigned and 10 others were reprimanded. Congress launched three investigations. The Justice Department convened a federal grand jury. What mostly came out of this wailing and gnashing of teeth was that those member forced to resign and those reprimanded where only practicing business as usual, they just happened to get noticed outside of the back alley at a time other than the dead of night.

And the organizations that operate under the umbrella of the IOC are hardly any better, but why would we expect anything better to occur under such stellar leadership. Remember the stink about Paul Hamm and the all around gold medal in men’s gymnastics? You remember gymnastics, a sport which would easily survive on it’s own without the mega doses of cash being an "Olympic Sport" provides. Well Mr. Hamm was asked to return his gold medal after the award ceremony because someone apparently made a mistake in scoring the Bronze medalists final performance. Good sportsmanship all over the neighborhood that, eh? Mr. Hamm even had to travel to a court hearing in Switzerland ( I think it was Switzerland) before he could be assured the medal was indeed his to keep. Weird and weirder. Remember the Winter Games were the Russian couple a Gold Medal despite an obvious even to the untrained observer second rate performance. The Canadian couple was awarded a second Gold Medal after the French judge admitted she bowed to pressure to vote for the Russian couple. Ice skating, another sport capable of standing on its own without the Olympic dollar supporter.

These are the playmates the poohbahs of golfdom want to join. For the good of the game? Please, spare me. I may have been born at night but it wasn’t last night so don’t try and get me to accept that we can’t grow the game without getting into the same arena with these schmucks. I’m not buying it for a minute. Is the game having trouble growing in South Korean? What you say there are how many South Korean women members of the LPGA. My my, and without the Olympics. How did this happen? Where exactly are you trying to grow the game? Russia? China? Sudan? Hmmm.

I have another question for the games anointed leaders; who exactly benefits from this Olympic connection? and how will it help my game?

News

GolfWRX’s Father’s Day Gift Guide (2026)

Published

1 day ago

Jun 9, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

A reminder from your friends at GolfWRX: Father’s Day is June 21. And as we do every year, we’re rounding up the best gifts for dad.

As we say every year, there’s no better golf-related Father’s Day gift than a round of golf with pops. Be it a country club or your favorite muni, take the time to get together to play 18 if you can.

Let’s get to the gifts.

Ghost Golf Qualifier Diamond Polo

We like the new polos that Ghost is offering, as the fabric and fit are so good. These new Qualifier Collection polos breathe well, are lightweight, stretch with your swing, and of course look great. You can wear them on the course, in the office, or just out at a casual event and they will fit right in.

Buy here.

STR8-Strip Grip Tape Remover

If your dad is an equipment aficionado and tinkers with his clubs, this tool works wonders. Removing grip tape has never been easier, just put a little head on the tape and the STR8-Strip peals it right off the shaft without any damage.

Buy here.

Why Golf: Putting Thing

When it comes to practice, it is good to have a purpose. This “Putting Thing” sure does it. We know from personal experience how challenging it can be and how rewarding it is on the practice green. This also provides some competition for your kiddo to see who will unload the dishwasher or do the next chore around the house.

Buy here.

OluKai Lae‘ahi Men’s Breathable Slip-On Shoes

Riding to and from the course in style and comfort is always a good thing. If you’re in a hurry, it’s a nice feature to slide into your shoes and get to the tee time. For the post-game shoe, at your locker or while putting your clubs away in the car. Nice to slide into a shoe that looks good anywhere. Pair that with meeting the family for dinner, no need to change!

Buy here.

Therabody Theragun Relief

A little wellness goes a long way. Keeping loose is a good way to go when it comes to the weekend game or treatment during the week. If there is a little ache or pain, the Theragun is there to help out. Help loosen up the back for a pre-game warm-up or cool-down.

Buy here.

World Cup golf apparel

Something for the soccer dads. Embrace the World Cup fever this summer on the course with custom gear to support the nation of your choice.

Buy here.

FootJoy Pro SL spikeless golf shoes

Give the old man a break and save his feet with the Footjoy Pro SL Men’s Spikeless Golf Shoes for some added comfort on the course.

Buy here.

Bushnell Wingman 2 GPS speaker

Combine all the hits as well as some game improvement with the Wingman 2 Golf GPS Speaker by getting audible distance readings from 38,000+ courses worldwide through the Wingman 2 remote or speaker.

Buy here.

Personalized Titleist Pro V1 golf balls

The No. 1 ball in golf is a safe bet, and the Pro V1 fits the largest chunk of the bell curve if you don’t know what ball pops plays. Add personalization for a, well, personal touch!

Buy here.

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 OccuNet Classic

Published

2 days ago

Jun 9, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

With the PGA Tour across the border in Canada this week, GolfWRX Tour Photographer Greg Moore stayed stateside and headed to the OccuNet Classic presented by Amarillo National Bank in Amarillo, Texas.

It’s always interesting to see what the guys are playing on the KFT, and this week certainly hasn’t disappointed so far, with some incredible wedge stamping on display.

Check out links to all our albums below.

General Albums

2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT) – Monday #1

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

Luke Potter’s custom Cameron putter – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)

News

From the GolfWRX Classifieds: Scotty Cameron GOLO 6 with BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition

Published

2 days ago

Jun 9, 2026

Will Schube

At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @HuskerFlyer is sharing a Scotty Cameron GOLO with a BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition shaft. While the putter is certainly enviable, the Augusta-inspired shaft is equally noteworthy.

From the listing:

Scotty Cameron Golo 6 with BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition Scotty Headcover 34″ $375

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules.