Golf News Round-Up: Olympics, Trick Shots & Golf Ball Thievery
The inclusion of golf in the 2016 Olympics is yet again one of the hottest topics in golf this week, as players look forward to going for gold in Rio next year.
Golf hasn't been in the Olympics since 1904, but many of the game's current greats think it's good news for the sport.
As English golfer Justin Rose said: "Who knows, in a hundred years' time that [the Olympics] might be the most sought after achievement in golf."
But the four major championships remain the focus of most players, as Rose also made clear: "Right now it's all about history. So the major championships have more of it than the Olympics does for us as a sport."
Australian golfer Adam Scott also sees the four majors as the pinnacle of the game: "I'm not definitely ruling it out," said the 2013 Master winner, "but certainly I'm not planning my schedule around playing the Olympics. I'm planning my schedule around playing majors the best I can. If I can fit going to the Olympics into that, it might be a bit of fun, then lucky me if I qualify."
But the re-appearance of golf after 112 years will cause some problems: the majors have had to be re-scheduled in order to make space for the Rio tournament, with the Ryder Cup also taking place next year. Is it just too much golf in one year?
Cup-Winning Trick Shot?
And for those who appreciate golf ball tricks, Andrew Borys has recorded one of the most eye-popping ever. In his recent YouTube video Borys and a companion skilfully volley a golf ball between two clubs before the friend walks out of the room and Borys bounces the ball into a cup in the corner of the screen. Fluke or skill, it's very impressive.
You can watch the clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS6bNDYzqKo
Thousands of Balls Stolen from Welsh Club
But trick shot frivolity will be far from the minds of one Welsh golf course this week. Criminals thought they had struck it lucky when they broke into a Southerndown Golf Club and stole thousands of golf balls. However, it looks like the heist was a bit of a balls-up – since each golf ball is marked with 'Stolen from Southerndown Golf Club'. Police are investigating.
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