Maginnes: How can golf not be part of the Olympics?

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Can you imagine the Olympics with Tiger Woods? John Maginnes can.

I have yet to hear a single argument against golf in the Olympics that makes sense. Seven sports made pitches this week to either become Olympic events or -- in the case of baseball and softball -- to remain on the roster.

Why Major League Baseball would resist altering its schedule so the best players in the world can have a couple of weeks to represent their countries is beyond me. The IOC has said if baseball is to remain an Olympic sport then the best players in the world need to be available. So far baseball has balked. Quite the opposite is taking place in the world of golf, though.

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Golf is a natural fit for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, the highest profile athlete in the world, Tiger Woods, publicly supports golf in the 2016 Olympics. He and the LPGA's top player, Lorena Ochoa, along with 13 other golfers from around the globe, presented their case in a video sent to the IOC. Considering the timing and the fact that Tiger's career will most likely to be winding down at that point to pass on this opportunity would seem fool hearty at best.

If Tiger hasn't passed Jack in the major championship win column by the 2016 Games I will eat my laptop. Unlike so many other sports and high profile athletes Tiger and golf continue to boom all over the world. The current global economy will undoubtedly take its toll but golf has remained strong through both World Wars and the Great Depression, and it will survive this recession, as well. Of the proposed additions to the Olympics golf is easily the most global. I feel very comfortable saying that -- unless I have somehow missed out on the great squash players of our time. For that matter, I am not exactly sure what roller sports are but I am sure they are compelling.

Golf is the second biggest game in the world not included in the Olympics. Rugby may be more popular internationally -- although only marginally recognized in the United States -- and it is also vying for Olympic inclusion. Golf has an advantage, though, not only over rugby but also over many of the other mainstream sports that are already part of the Olympic landscape. The only continent that doesn't host an important golf tournament every year is Antarctica. The inclusion of golf in the Olympics will bring an immediate following, instant rivalries and a proven fan base.

The real question is: why wait until 2016? I understand the technicalities -- that 2016 offers the first opening in the schedule and all that. But the next summer games will be held in London in the summer of 2012. Again, hello, the United Kingdom, home of golf. Am I the only one who sees a fit here? It is not uncommon for some events to take place hundreds of miles from the Olympic epicenter. The equestrian events for the Beijing games took place in Hong Kong, for goodness sake. With that in mind, let's have the lads and lasses skip up to Scotland after the opening ceremonies and tee it up at the Old Course for a few days. There is something compelling about the idea of the first golf medal in more than 100 years being awarded at the home of golf. Award it to the biggest name in the game and you may be onto something.

Much of the resistance over the years has come from the players themselves. Even Tiger has been no more than lukewarm on the idea until recently. The fact that he is among those petitioning to participate should give the game the boost it needs to push it over the top.

Finally, golf is unique in that it can be played under so many different formats. The games could include a straight individual medal play competition or something more team-oriented. Realistically, with a two-week window there could be both. Gymnastics and several other sports award individual and team medals; why not golf? Golf has certainly proven through the Ryder Cup and The Presidents Cup that team competition in golf can be the most entertaining of all.

Picture if you can the Americans at the opening ceremonies all walking together, dressed in uniform, carrying little American flags and waving to the crowd. Up at the front of the contingent is Tiger, carrying the big flag and flashing that billion-dollar smile. He won't dip it as he walks past the dignitaries because the American flag bows to no one. There is a little grey around the temples and a few lines around the eyes. Tiger would look pretty good on the podium with "The Star Spangled Banner" playing in the background and his hand over his heart, wouldn't he?

If the IOC doesn't act these images will exist only in our imaginations and the game would be a little less for it. So would the Olympics.

John Maginnes is a columnist for PGATOUR.COM. His opinion does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the PGA TOUR.