SOUTHPORT (England), July 16: Golf’s professional and amateur bodies have joined forces in a bid to reappear as an Olympic sport after an absence of more than 100 years.

Under the umbrella of the International Golf Federation (IGF), an Olympic committee will prepare and promote golf’s attempt to claim one of two spots available at the 2016 Games.

Golf, which first featured as an Olympic sport in Paris in 1900 and failed in its latest bid for inclusion at the 2012 Games, will be vying with rugby sevens, squash, karate, roller sports, softball and baseball.

“This will not be plain sailing and we have much work ahead of us,” Royal and Ancient Golf Club (R&A) chief executive Peter Dawson, who is also joint secretary of the IGF, said during a news conference at Royal Birkdale on Wednesday.

“Stiff competition but we do feel we’re putting together the right organisation to get the job done.

“It’s been made very clear to us on several occasions by the IOC (International Olympic Committee) that if golf is to be in the Olympics, it has to be for the top players in the world.

Golf will not get in if it’s to be for amateurs.—Reuters