So Rio wins the 2016 Olympics. Is that good, or not good, for golf’s chances to be reinstated as an Olympic sport? (At least with Chicago, Tokyo, and Madrid we could guess where the matches would be played. What’s the best course in Brazil?)

On the bigger issue, I don’t think golf should be in the Olympics. It’s already among the most international of games and I can already hear the Tour pros bitching about having to work yet another no-money, far-away tournament into their oh-so-busy schedules. Yes, I’m sure they’ll say they’d be proud to play for, and win a medal for, their countries. But that’s hardly a good enough reason. (I’ve heard all the arguments for golf in the Olympics. Anyone have a new one? A good one? Post away.)

Will golf in the Olympics really promote the game internationally? Has there been a big upsurge in biathlon and speed-skating? How about Greco-Roman wrestling? The Olympics should be for sports/games that don’t get constant media attention, don’t have their own TV channel, and don’t create billion-dollar athletes.

If golf does make the Olympics, I say ban professionals. Get back to the original amateur ideal and make the quadrennial matches a sort of Ryder Cup on steroids (sorry, bad analogy) for up-and-comers and amateurs the world over.

And as for the pros, if they want to have their own “I’m the best in the world” event, then improve the existing “World Golf Championships” or make one of the Majors truly major. Create golf’s version of the World Cup.

And no prize money. Yeah, that’ll happen.