#24 Olympics and Golf

Golf took huge steps toward being part of the 2016 Olympic Games as its most influential governing bodies joined forces to introduce the sport on the global stage. Most significantly, PGA Tour chief Tim Finchem embraced the proposal, a move that gave golf the unified voice the International Olympic Committee was said to be seeking. 2008 NEWSMAKERS OF THE YEAR • #25-Paul Goydos-A profile of the journeyman • #24-Olympics and Golf • #23-Amateur Winners • #22-George O'Grady • #21-Drug Testing • #1-The Tiger-Rocco U.S. Open Playoff Another change geared at appealing to the IOC was a new random drug testing policy accepted by all tours. Although nowhere near as strict as the Olympics' World Anti-Doping Agency testing, the policy is a step in the right direction. The IOC will make a formal decision on adding two new sports to the '16 Games next year. If golf gets the green light, the proposed format would be 72 holes of stroke play, with each country sending three representatives based on their world ranking.