Golf has been voted in to the Olympic Programme for the 31st and 32nd Olympic Games in 2016 and 2020.
Golf and rugby sevens have been voted on to the programme for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and for the 2020 Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee's Executive Board voted to include both at a meeting two months ago.
And the recommendation was confirmed by the IOC's full membership at a congress in Copenhagen, Denmark, today. Golf was passed by 63 votes to 27, with two abstentions, while rugby sevens had 81 votes in favour and eight against, with one abstention.
Three time Major winner Padraig Harrington of Ireland, who was part of the International Golf Federation's presentation in Copenhagen, said: "I do believe in time the Olympic gold will become the most important event in golf and I don't believe it will take that long.
"In the four years between the Olympics there will be 16 Major Championships, so winning gold will be that much more special.
He added: "It's seven years away, and physically I should be capable of continuing for a number of years. Competing in the Olympics gives me the motivation to push on - I want to be there in 2016. Being an Olympian is a big deal in Ireland, one of the greatest honours for any Irish person, and I want to be one."
Spaniard Sergio Garcia said: “I think it is going to be an amazing experience for all of us. We are all very thrilled and excited about the possibility of being part of the Olympics. It’s still a long way to go – seven years - but we will try to stay healthy and see if we can get in there.
“I’m 29 and will be 36 in 2016 so if I stay in good shape I might have three chances of getting to the Olympics, so I’m looking forward to that. When you watch the Olympics on TV you see all the runners and the athletes and think it would be nice to have that chance. Finally it has happened and we are all very excited.
“It’s something we have never been to. Until you are there and part of it you don’t know what it is like – it’s the same as The Ryder Cup in that respect.”
Scotland's Paul Lawrie, The 1999 Open Champion, said: "I would definitely play. I think it's important - there are so many sports in the Olympics now that are professional sports, so can't golf be in? I would love to win Olympic gold."
Two-time Masters Tournament champion José Maria Olazábal added: "I think it will be fantastic for the game of golf - but unfortunately 2016 is going to be too far for me."
Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie, who spoke to the IOC in Lausanne in June, stated: "I am so delighted to hear that golf has been approved to be in the Olympics in 2016.
"I am proud to have been a part of the process and it is a credit to everyone who has leant their support to this process. I have made my support very clear and I think this is a very significant moment for the game of golf and all of the players who are lucky enough to compete in the 2016 Olympic Games will be part of a truly unique experience.
"I think this decision will see us entering an exciting phase for global golf.”
Masters Champion, Angel Cabrera, said: "I'm delighted to hear golf was elected to the Olympic Games. We have the number one athlete in the world in our sport, so why shouldn't golf be an Olympic Sport."
That Number One athlete, Tiger Woods, was another to react to the news: "I think it's great for golf. It's a perfect fit for the Olympics, and I think we are all looking forward to golf getting into the Olympics. This will be a new experience for golfers who get to participate in the Olympics. Having talked to other athletes who have gotten a chance to experience the Olympics, they have absolutely loved it and had the greatest time."
Jack Nicklaus also summed up the feelings if so many when he said: "This is a great day for the game of golf.
"I want to congratulate all those who worked and campaigned so passionately over the last couple of years to make this day a reality. It is obvious that the unified voice of golf was not only heard but embraced by the International Olympic Committee. When I was asked last year to be a part of this global effort, I was delighted to be involved because I believe so strongly in our game and what it represents — honesty, integrity, sportsmanship and goodwill. All of us who have spent our lives playing and enjoying the game of golf fully understand why it deserved a spot on the Olympic program, and now the sport I have always called the greatest game of all can be shared with the rest of the world on the greatest stage in sports."
