Hanse Says Rio Course Will be Ready for 2016 Olympics


Golf course architect Gil Hanse told Reuters that the golf course he designed for the 2016 Rio Olympics will be opened in time for the quadrennial games. Golf will be as an Olympic event for the first time since 1904.

The event itself will be a 72-hole stroke play tournament for men and women, according to the International Golf Federation (IGF). Qualifying for the Olympics will be determined by IGF rankings, with the top-15 players automatically making their teams and the next 45 comprised of players from nations that do not already have two representatives.

Hanse said he was surprised the IGF opted for individual play versus a team competition. "I have already stated publicly that I understand why they selected four rounds of medal play, but the thing that still mystifies me is why is there no team competition and the Olympics is all about team competition," he said.

"I understand this is the first time the IGF wanted to gain the support of the players and not have to play match-play and be knocked out after one round. Also they did not want to be too experimental."

The project near Rio de Janeiro has experienced delays due to land-ownership problems, local protests and controversy over the use of valuable water to irrigate the course.

"Everyone who has been following the story knows the project went on a bit longer than we anticipated, so to now have the design complete and turned over for growing is a huge hurdle we've negotiated," Hanse told Reuters.

"It's also very timely because any later and the golf course would not be mature enough for the Olympics. I now feel good about the time frame as it relates to preparations for competition and we feel about what we designed and how it's all come together, so it's all positive."

The Pennsylvania-based architect has been patient throughout the development process, though the course has taken much longer coming to fruition than he anticipated. "I never thought we would be down in Brazil for two-and-a-half years as we thought we could get everything we needed to accomplish in 12 to 13 months."

In the Reuters interview Hanse noted the course - which will open for public play after the Olympics - will be a par 71 and be adaptable to players of all skill levels. "If it's going to be 7,500 yards playing to a par 72 they are all going to think that must be the standard," Hanse said about countries seeking to develop their own golf facilities.

"So we built a par 71 with four par-5s, four par-3s and the remainder par-4s. Long-hitters like Rory (McIlroy) will like it, but it will also suit the shorter hitters as it will be a very different second-shot golf course with some interesting contours once on the greens.

"Overall it's going to suit the player comfortable playing the ball on the ground and, should the wind get up as it will around the time of the Olympics, then it will have links-like characteristics.

"And given also its 'Sandbelt' like feel, I would think the Aussies in Adam Scott and Jason Day should be right at home and comfortable playing the course."