Nanjing, China: Gary Player has hailed golf’s return to the Olympic fold. The South African great said the sport’s inclusion in the second edition of the Summer Youth Olympic Games was a timely boost.
“I, like so many others, am looking forward to the return of golf in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, but I could not be more thrilled that the future superstars of the game are able to compete for their home countries in golf’s first appearance in the Youth Olympic Games,” said Player, whose Nanjing Zhongshan International Golf Club provided the stage for the event.
The Gary Player Signature Course has seen 64 youth Olympians from 32 countries competing for their country in a 54-hole stroke play tournament. The world’s top junior golfers aged between 15 and 18 will then take part in the mixed gender team event from August 24-26.
The addition of golf to the Youth Olympics, as well as its inclusion in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games after a 110-year absence, mark exciting steps in global golf development.
Player said: “I visited our Signature Course at Nanjing Zhongshan International Golf Club last year, and I have no doubt that it will be a terrific venue. I wish all those competing the best of luck.”
As golf grows across China, hopes are that the sport will continue to gain momentum following these 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympics and the Rio 2016 Games.
While the long-awaited return of golf draws closer, success in the Nanjing Summer Youth Olympics is sure to pave the way for the sustained inclusion of golf in future games.
The 27-hole Nanjing Zhongshan International Golf Club, which opened for play in 2005, previously hosted China’s 10th National Games and several China Tour events including the IGC Open and Sofitel Golf Championship.