News: TOUR Notes
February 3 2012
1:10 pm
Decision on Olympic designer delayed
SAO PAULO — The designer of the Olympic golf course for the 2016 Summer Games won’t be announced until March.
The winner had been scheduled to be selected Friday after the eight bidders spent two days this week in Rio de Janeiro making final presentations.
This will be the first Olympic course in more than 100 years. Golf is returning to the games for the first time since being dropped following the 1904 St. Louis Olympics.
Organizers said in a statement they were "extremely pleased with the high quality" of the proposals, but the winner won’t be made public until the International Olympic Committee visits Rio in March.
The eight finalists are Gary Player Design, Greg Norman Golf Course Design, Hanse Golf Design, Hawtree Ltd., Nicklaus Design, Renaissance Golf, Robert Trent Jones II and Thomson-Perret Golf Course Architects.
Nicklaus is teaming with Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam on his project, while Norman has a partnership with retired Mexican golfer Lorena Ochoa.
The selection committee is composed of Rio 2016 Olympic committee President Carlos Nuzman, International Golf Federation President Peter Dawson and other local representatives.
The deadline for proposals was extended last year because none of the bidders initially had the proper legal and financial documentation. The winner’s announcement was originally scheduled for December.
Applicants must have prior course design experience, with international companies required to have an established office in Rio. The Rio committee said the course must leave a legacy for the city and be ready to host test events by 2015.
Golf made its debut at the second modern Olympics in Paris in 1900, but lasted only one more Olympic games. It was reinstated in 2009 and has a spot guaranteed in the 2020 Olympics, but a good impression in Rio will be critical in keeping the sport in the games beyond that. Another IOC vote on adding or deleting sports is scheduled for 2017.
The Rio golf course will be in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood, which will hold most of the Olympic venues. The course is expected to be about 3 miles from the athletes’ village. – Associated Press
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Todd Hamilton was a star on the Japanese Tour, and easily won the British Open. When he got to the PGA Tour, I think he may have won once or twice as the competition is just too great. I think the Japanese Tour is like the Euro Tour, slightly below the Hooters and well below the Nationwide. Both are so far below the PGA Tour that it’s not even worthy of discussion….
SHAUN..DAVE..JASON.. I can understand why tiger couldn’t take down rock!! the guy is 36 yrs and nearing the end of his career and nowhere near his best obviously. but can you please explain why this next great superstar RORY after leading the first day failed to do so, even after 3 days he was within 2 strokes of robert should have been close enough to get the job done.hoey gave him a start and beating at st andrews over last 9 holes, he led at dubai and got run over,near lead in hsbc that kaymer won and failed.he led the tourny in dubai that quiros won $2 fav after 2 rounds and choked {same tourn next week} then the biggest choke of them all the masters,led by 4 strokes and shot 82 final round. on the positive side won the u/s open. Iam realy trying to understand where you guys are comming from? but it’s difficult.
decision delayed?
maybe the bribes aren’t in yet!
GREAT DISPLAY FROM AMERICAS FINEST – NOT!!!
Man, I know America is in a bad state right now, but this Euro vs. US thing is a bit sad. I mean, in the real world (not where most of you live), the only reason most of Europe is not under German rule is because of the United States.
Also, for some of you Euro people who are always bashing Tiger and saying the European Tour is now the best tour, I am trying to wonder how you feel about the boy you guys want to be the next great (Rory) deciding to focus on playing in the United States this year, and most likely from now on.
How do you feel about the fact that he likes it better in the United States? Just curious.
I am an American, but certainly not a proud one. We aren’t all idiots over here, so, if you don’t want Americans to start condemning people just because they are European or Middle-Eastern, etc. based on stereotypes, please show some individuals some respect. The Europeans R Better stuff, etc – I hope that stuff dies out because if it were to continue or escalate, it is only going to make us enemies and..say what you want about America..we may be very much in debt…but so is all of Europe and many countries…at least we have something to show for it: a military powerful enough to take on the next 4-5 strongest militaries COMBINED. Where did all your debt go?
YOU THINK RICKIE FLOWER, BRADLEY KEEGAN, GARY FORESTLAND OR SPIDER SIMPSON ARE BETTER THAN RORS? YOU’RE A DUMMY!
OH NO! WITHOUT AMERICA MILITARY THE WORLD WILL DIE! WHAT A LOAD OF BS!
EUROPEANS R BETTER! – As an American, even i know the euros are currently better and Rory is the best young player but this is supposed to be about WM Open, come back when Rory, lee or luke are playing.
The Authority – is there any wonder our country gets bad press and is hated from across the pond… with people like you i don’t blame them, youre comment was disgraceful and a slap in the face towards your fellow americans.
Way to go Spencer! what a great round, keep up the good work… i’ll be watching closely over the weekend.
I seem to be posting in my sleep these days. thanks to whoever.cheers.
Go CANADA the defending gold medalists!!
According to Gail
1. Euro Tour is not even as good as the Nationwide.
2. Tiger can’t win on the EuroTour anymore
Then
3. Tiger is not even as good as the Nationwide players.
How can you spill such mental diarrhea and still call yourself a Tiger fan.
Aaron(AKA The Authority), How disrespectful of you to undervalue the lives of those who gave their lives in the WWII.
So in your mind, the only thing the USA can be proud of is its Military? How incredibly shortsighted and sad to discount such incredible achievements by American Scientists, Humanists, Artists, etc.
You two should not call yourselves proud Americans, you are actually making a huge disservice to a great country.