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Day 8: Olympic Swimming & Tennis at the Barra Olympic Park!

August 24, 2016 By admin

Off to see Olympic Swimming and hopefully some men’s team handball… hard to fathom the size of these Olympic Games… (Facebook Post with 2 pics, Andy Reistetter, 8-9-16)

Enjoyed watching swimming heats! USA qualified in all 4 events! GO USA! The 4X200m freestyle relay team led by Ryan Lockte qualified as did Caeleb Dressel & Nathan Adrian in the 100m freestyle. Also Hali Flickinger & Natalie Adams in the Women’s 200m Butterfly & JoshPrenot in the Men’s 200m Breaststroke. Thanks to my new South African friend Maria from Joburg for explaining the whole swimming world to me. Scored a ticket to tennis… I feel like a kid growing up & spending the whole day at Rec Park… but now I am watching versus playing the sports! Women’s handball on Friday, sorry Dennis, the men were all sold out. But I am here for the Olympics Golf! Yeah Olympico Golf (Facebook Post with 30 pics, Andy Reistetter, 8-9-16)

So golf & tennis have a long & interesting relationship, don’t they? Fairly long games & the next match keeps coming. There is a difference between Court 1 & Centre Court! LOL just missed the Nadal finish. Saw the end of an exciting match with Great Britain’s Johanna Konta beating Russia’s Svetlana Kuznetsova… down love-40 & came back to win the game & then break Kuznetsova’s service to win! Love the little Olympic tennis history pavilion. Courts 4 thru 9 too, up close & personable! Amazingly ran into a camera lady that I met at the 2009 British Open at Turnberry & had not seen in 7 years! It’s a small, small world after all! Fore, Olympic Golf on Thursday… hopefully after being invited to visit a favela tomorrow…. stay tuned… experiencing all aspects of Rio 2016! (Facebook Post with 30 pics, Andy Reistetter, 8-9-16)

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Filed Under: Summer 2016 Golf Olympics

Day 9: Visit Rocinha Favela, hosted by Jody King & Benefiting his Favela Phoenix School!

August 23, 2016 By admin

CLICK HERE for Part 1 of 2 of the Moto-Taxi Ride up to the top of Favela Rocinha!

My Moto-Taxi driver… I didn’t get his name but I think it was Bond, James Bond! What a thrill!

Awesome tour of the Rocinha Favela, Rio’s most populous favela, with Jody King, founder of Favela Phoenix, a free English School for children & adults alike. Here is Part 1 of 2 of the Moto-Taxi ride up to the top of Rocinha… not much room between the truck and the bus… please send funds to cover my medical expenses or make a donation to this impactful charity… http://www.favelaphoenix.org/

CLICK HERE for Part 2 of 2 of the Moto-Taxi Ride up to the top of Favela Rocinha!

With Jody King at the top of Favela Rocinha!

Record setting 1,361 pics taken today on the tour of Rocinha Favela by Jody King to benefit Favela Phoenix… here are 30 of them… great community, spirited people, awesome tour… lots of fun with my new mates Lauren & Grant and Rosie! Must do experience for any tourist visiting Rio and for a great cause! http://www.favelaphoenix.org/

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Filed Under: Summer 2016 Golf Olympics

Day 10: 2016 Men’s Olympic Golf Round One; First in 112 Years!!!

August 22, 2016 By admin

Golf in the Olympics… starts tomorrow… can’t wait! (Facebook Post with 1 pic, Andy Reistetter, 8-10-16)

CLICK HERE for VIDEO of the Penthouse View of the Early Morning Lights!

A beautiful day! Up early for Olympic Golf! GO USA!!! (Facebook Post with 1 video, Andy Reistetter, 8-11-16)

The Spirit of Olympic Golf is born once again! The first group of Brazil’s Adison da Silva, Canada’s Graham Delaet, and Korea’s Byeonghun An tees off in the 2016 Summer Olympics (Facebook Post with 1 video, Andy Reistetter, 8-11-16)

CLICK HERE for VIDEO of the First Group Teeing Off in the 2016 Summer Golf Olympics!

Early morning for me but somehow I managed to get to the first tee to witness Olympic Golf back in the Olympics after 112 year! The Journey to Olympic Golf, from Glen Echo CC in S. Louis in 1904 to the new Olympic Golf Course in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 is now officially completed! The Olympic Spirit of Golf is reborn! TROML Baby! (Facebook Post with 30 pics, Andy Reistetter, 8-11-16)

CLICK HERE for VIDEO of Matt Kuchar Teeing Off, First American to Play Olympic Golf in 112 Years!

Matt Kuchar is the first American golfer to play Olympic Golf in 112 years! (Facebook Post with 1 video, Andy Reistetter, 8-11-16)

Bubba Watson is the second American to play Olympic Golf in 112 years! (Facebook Post with 1 video, Andy Reistetter, 8-11-16)

Patrick Reed is the third American to play Olympic Golf in 112 years!

Rickie Fowler is the fourth American to play Olympic Golf in 112 years!

Never did this before… watched all 60 golfers tee off on No. 1 then came to 18th green to watch all 60 golfers finish… just soaking in this beautiful day, this beautiful golf course & this beautiful Olympic Golf experience! (Facebook Post with 1 video (18 green Panorama), Andy Reistetter, 8-11-16)

CLICK HERE for VIDEO Panorama of 18th Green as first group approaches in Round 1 of Olympic Golf!

Kuch birdies the par-5 18th & posts a 2-under par 69. Reed, Bubba & Fowler all on the Golf course and over par. Australia’s Marcus Fraser leads after an impressive 63. Cool & windy conditions. (Facebook Post with 1 video, Andy Reistetter, 8-11-16)

Bit windy today. I think the Olympic Cat looks a bit freaked out! (Facebook Post with 1 video, Andy Reistetter, 8-11-16)

Scared Olympic Cat trying to get away. Sergio Surge at the end with a tap in eagle! (Facebook Post with 1 video, Andy Reistetter, 8-11-16)

CLICK HERE for VIDEO of Scared Olympic Cat!!!

That’s a rap! Round 1 of 2016 Rio Olympic Golf is in the books. Australia’s Marcus Fraser shots spectacular 63 and leads Canada’s Delaet & Sweden’s Stenson, who made birdie with this putt at the last hole, by 3 strokes. Best American was Matt Kuchar with a 69. (Facebook Post with 1 video, Andy Reistetter, 8-11-16)

CLICK HERE for VIDEO Panorama of 18th Green at the End of the Day of Round One!

Guess it is time to leave, they locked me in! Great day witnessing Olympic Golf! (Facebook Post with 30 pics, Andy Reistetter, 8-11-16)

Marcus Fraser shoots a record-breaking 8-under par 63 to lead after Round 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Golf! Here is his introduction and drive on the first hole. He went on to birdie the hole, bogey No. 2 then birdie 8 of the last 16 holes and par the others for a nice closing 50% birdie percentage. Record setting because it is the new course record (new course) and a new Olympic record (beats scores of 112 years ago). Right up there with the thirty 63s in golf’s four Majors. Remember this is the Olympics, no ordinary trophy presentation come Sunday afternoon rather a Gold, Bronze & Silver Medal Ceremony! Love ceremonies at the Olympics! (Facebook Post with 1 video, Andy Reistetter, 8-11-16)

What a great day watching & witnessing Olympic Golf Round 1. Here are my thoughts on the day… just thinking… just saying… Olympic Golf Round 2 tomorrow… stay tuned if you like… (Facebook Post with 1 link to AGTD, Andy Reistetter, 8-11-16)

Olympic Golf Rd. 1: Aussie Marcus Fraser’s Opening 63 makes Olympic Golf a Smash Hit!

Now, the pictures of the day!

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Day 10: Aussie Marcus Fraser’s Opening 63 makes Olympic Golf a Smash Hit!

August 22, 2016 By admin

It’s been a long time coming… 112 years for Olympic Golf to return to a world far different than when it was last played at Glen Echo CC in St. Louis. It struck me that the hickory-shafted golf clubs and gutta percha golf balls found in glass cases in the Golf Exhibit located at the entrance to the new Olympic Golf Course were in play when Canadian George Lyons won an Olympic Golf Gold Medal in 1904. With modern golf clubs, still somewhat ill-fitted to strike a golf ball, Australian Marcus Fraser’s 9-under par 63 was a smashing start to what undoubtedly will be a memorable Olympic competition, one of 42 sports being played at this the Games of the XXXI Olympiad.

Here are my thoughts in no particular order from this historic day!

I planned to be there for the first tee shot and watch everyone of the 60 Olympic athletes tee off. What I didn’t plan was then to go over to the 18th green grandstand and watched everyone of those same 60 Olympic athletes putt out to complete their Olympic round of golf. The day went by quickly with the first tee time at 7:30 and the golf ending about eight hours later. I just stayed there mesmerized by the beauty of the 18th and the rhythmic sound of the mowers. By the time the sun set and I walked to the gates they were locked!

Not the use of Olympic athletes above. Golf is an Olympic Sport and by definition those who play it are athletes. I guess that logic includes badminton and table tennis too.

Beautiful morning, beautiful golf course, the Olympic Spirit of Golf reemerges from dormancy.

The sun came out in the northern skies not too far into the tee sheet and the golf balls driven southerly from the first tee were like white comets glistening in the sun as they at first resisted gravity to reach their peaks and then eventually fell to and bounced along, then rolled on the firm and fast fairway.

The realization that the sun is in the northern not southern skies like at home in the United States brought back a fond memory from a round of golf in Montevideo, Uruguay on the last day of 2013 while on the original “Journey to Olympic Golf.” I was trying to impress my diplomat lady golfer friend by pointing to what I thought was Buenos Aires across the Río de la Plata, which at its widest point is 140 miles across. She gracefully pointed out to me that I was not correct mainly because of my assumption that the sun is always in the northern skies. No matter that it was always what I had experienced in my life, it was still wrong. I am hoping all the Olympic Golf naysayers are a bit off in their Southern Hemisphere orientation too.

Amazingly, as I sat there at the first tee within the next few hours I received an email from my diplomat lady golfer friend who I had not been in contact since that remarkable round of golf we shared together at the Club de Golf del Uruguay.

When Canadian Graham DeLaet, playing in the first group, came around and finished playing the adjacent 9th hole he was 4-under par and led the tournament. Maybe he thinks he can defy the odds and have a Canadian repeat as the Olympic Golf Golf Medalist, many times removed in 112 years. Canadian George Lyons up in Golfing Heaven surely is smiling down on this links Sandbelter beauty of a golf course in the Barra de Tijuca, a swanky suburb of Rio de Janeiro. DeLaet ended up shooting a 5-under par 67 and is tied with Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, three strokes behind record pace setter Aussie Marcus Fraser.

The golf course literally came alive once that first group made the turn. Partly because Brazilians and partying visiting tourists and Olympic junkies began showing up at mid morning. Although the golf course is expertly designed to interweave the first and second nines to some degree, someone turned the switch and it seemed as though all of the sandy links were invaded by Olympic Golf patrons, spectators and what have you. One of my cutest kid moments was watching some kids playing leap from the base of flagpole to the next base of flagpole along the entrance way. It was funny and then even more funny to the other kids when one kid wiped out and crashed to the ground.

There are 60 competitors from 34 countries. Twenty-three countries have two golfers competing, ten countries have one golfer competing, and only one country has four golfers competing. Can you guess which country? The good old United States of America.

With double the odds, the American golf was half the performance with only Matt Kuchar (69) breaking par. He was joined in the American contingent (not team, no team competition) by Patrick Reed (72), Bubba Watson (73), and Rickie Fowler (75). This is a small field, 72-hole stroke play competition with no cut, thank God.

South African Olympic Captain Gary Player was on the first tee with his countryman Brandon Stone when he teed off at 8:52 am. The fit 80-year old Black Knight walked off the first tee and down the first fairway with the group. I presumed he walked the whole 18 or more between Stone and his RSA mate Jaco van Zyl two group behind. Some things don;t have to be said though surely Player will be witnessing the next four or more Olympics with or without golf.

I saw Bubba Watson tee off nine before I repositioned my self to the 18th green. He did not drive the green as I suspected he might.

I watched and videotaped (love being a GA spectator) all 20 groups tee off No. 1. The time went by fast as various nationalities came to the grandstand and left with their heroes.

I went to the “merchandise tent” and bought everything I could with the Olympic Golf logo (except the tie which I have no legitimate use for any longer) and spent all of $US 100. The shirt I was forced to buy (only one offered) could not be worn while playing golf at any country club back home (no collar) though I love it and it will remind me of this Olympic Golf experience for the rest of my life. Note to young entrepreneurs out there. Get the golf merchandising right to Tokyo 2020, market over the internet and make a fortune in the next five years.

I will treasure my Golfe Cup that my $R13 Reais beer came in. I buy one beer per event. Again, love having that GA spectator ticket. Love the Olympic Golfer logo on the cup too!

Good thing I did not wear shorts today. The weather was cool and very windy. I would say a consistent 25-30 mph starting around noon. I mean consistent too, little gusting, consistently battered by the wind all afternoon. Stenson’s 67 in the last group of the day may have been as good, if not better than Fraser’s 63 in the fourth group off in the early morning.

Highlight of the day was running into the Olympic Golf Course architect Gil Hanse and his family from home and his family from work. One big happy family! Still hoping for an invitation to play the Olympic Golf Course the week following the Olympics.

Looking forward to Round 2 of Rio 2016 Olympic Golf!

Filed Under: Hickory Golf, PGA TOUR Golf, Summer 2016 Golf Olympics

Day 11: Round Two of the Men’s 2016 Summer Olympic Golf & Womens Team Handball!

August 21, 2016 By admin

Getting serious about heading out to the Olympic Golf Course for Round 2. I am staying at a very comfortable place with 16 channels of Olympic events, even golf! Excited to walk some of the golf course today! (Facebook Post with 16 Pics, Andy Reistetter, 8-11-16)

Rainy morning has turned into sunny afternoon with gentle winds… Round 2 of Olympic Golf… Aussie Marcus Fraser playing the 16th hole has a 2 stroke lead over Henrik Stenson who just finished. (Facebook Post with 1 video, Andy Reistetter, 8-12-16)

CLICK HERE for a Panorama Video of the 18th Green of the Olympic Golf Course!

With my new friend Jody King & his beautiful girlfriend Lucia!

Fun time getting to the golf course this morning, even more fun once I arrived. With my new friend Jody King & his beautiful & hungry girlfriend Lucia… heading out to see some golf now… Bubba on fire! (Facebook Post with 30 pics, Andy Reistetter, 8-12-16)

Another exciting day of Olympic Golf! Here is Bubba making a birdie at 18 finishing off a 67, America’s best round so far! (Facebook post with 1 video, Andy Reistetter, 8-12-16)

With Australian Olympic Golf Coach Ian Baker-Finch!

Love to hang around afterwards to take in the beauty of the golf course… plus you never know who you will meet! (Facebook post with 30 pics, Andy Reistetter, 8-12-16)

Does anybody know what Olympic sport this is? (Facebook post with 1 video, Andy Reistetter, 8-12-16)

Big Break tonight for this freelance writer… asked by Commissioner Dennis Berkholtz to cover Olympic Handball with the OBS broadcast team. Great assignment & great fun but challenging mainly because none of my Brazilian assistants spoke English! I love the sport of handball but have a million questions for the Commish! See one of the pics! Oh by the way RUS & FRA won, ARG (much to the dismay of BRA fans) & CHI lost… Olympic Park is beautiful at night too! (Facebook post with 29 pics and 1 video, Andy Reistetter, 8-12-16)

CLICK HERE for a video and taste of Olympic Womens Team Handball!

Round Two Olympic Golf pictures and some Olympic Team Handball pictures too!

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Filed Under: Hickory Golf, PGA TOUR Golf, Summer 2016 Golf Olympics

Day 12: Round Three of the 2016 Men’s Summer Olympic Golf & Leblon Carioca Band!

August 20, 2016 By admin

With Gary Player, a great man and a great golfer!

Overwhelming sense of gratitude in this morning’s TROML meditation session. So blessed to be making so many new friends in Rio, experiencing the Olympic Spirit of Golf, & staying in a beautiful place. Witnessing 3 breaths, 3 heartbeats & 3 waves crashing into the beach! Off to Olympic Golf I go!

CLICK HERE for Video Interview of Gary Player at the 2016 Summer Golf Olympics!

From growing up in Binghamton, NY & learning to play golf up at Ely Park Municipal Golf Course to being in Rio 2016 for Olympic Golf! Just did a video interview with Gary Player! This is the 1904 Olympic Golf Gold Medal from host Glen Echo CC in St. Louis that I hope to give to the Champion Olympic Golfer tomorrow! Very inspiring day already!

Ponte Vedra Beach resident, Australian Olympic Golfer Scott Hend teeing off on the par-3 17th hole…

TROML Day on the links of the Olympic Golf Course. Saw Scott Hend finish, walked some of the back nine with Justin Rose, leader by 1 stroke over Stenson, 3 over Fraser. Bubba T4 3 strokes from a medal and Rickie, another 64 just might do it!

Gary Player, always a favorite of the gallery, especially when he is outside the ropes with us!

Inspiring moment with Gary Player to say the least… I asked him to define the Olympic Spirit of Golf, my quest for the last 3 years… succinct and eloquent was Mr. Player… Peace, Peace, Peace… and Health, Health, Health… we already have enough things overall in this world… let’s share and be peaceful and healthy… that’s the way to play our best golf and as human beings, all the same, live our best TROML life… peace, joy & freedom… Long life to Gary Player whose Human and Olympic Golfing Spirit will endure forever!

Australian Olympic Golfer Scott Hend surrounded by his young fans!

Another great opportunity to get an insight into the Spirit of Olympic Golf with Scott Hend, an Australian Olympic Golfer that lives in Ponte Vedra Beach with his wife Leanne Tee and children! Loved the lines about “a coke and a meat pie, it’s fun, golf is an integral part of my life, shaped me, shaped my life.” In my opinion Scott exemplifies the Spirit of Olympic Golf. Kids know he is a treasure to be inspired by, that’s why so many wanted his autograph and a selfie with him after his round!

CLICK HERE for a Video Interview with Scott Hend, Australian Olympic Golfer!

That’s me on the tambourine with the Leblon Carioca Street Band!

Absolutely love getting out and meeting Cariocas! So much heart and zest for life, TROML Baby! Here is a street band in Leblon. Fortunately the part with me playing the tambourine was not fully recorded. Sadly I had to let go my Portuguese Producer, we just weren’t communicating well. The band wanted to me to stay and have a beer but I knew if I did I would still be there! Great people, great experiences in Rio!

CLICK HERE for a Video of a Street Carioca Band in Leblon and Andy playing the Tabourine!

Now the pictures from the day… and night!

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Filed Under: Hickory Golf, PGA TOUR Golf, Summer 2016 Golf Olympics

Olympic Golf is Back and it’s Great!

August 20, 2016 By admin

With Olympic Golf Gold Medalist Justin Rose and his Gold Medal in the evening of Sunday, August 14th, 2016 in Rio at the Olympic Golf Course!

Olympic Golf is Back and it’s Great!

There is only one Olympic Gold Medalist, Champion Golfer of the World for the next Four Years.

For the women that one golfer is South Korea’s Inbee Park. For the men that one golfer is Great Britain’s Justin Rose.

Olympic Golf is an Olympic Sport once again after ending a dormancy of 112 years with a beautiful and spirited rendition of men’s and women’s competitive golf at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics.

The competitions were held on the newly constructed Olympic Golf Course, locally known as the Reserva de Marapendi, in Barra da Tijuca, an upscale suburb in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The golf course, just a raw playful sandbox three years ago, was designed by the talented architect Gil Hanse and his right hand man Jim Wagner. They partnered with World Golf Hall of Famer member Amy Alcott to insure as fair and challenging a test for the women as what was conceived for the men. Their consultation and the resulting design—a combination of Scottish Links and the Australian Sandbelt–was brilliant and should receive an Olympic Gold Medal along with golfers Park and Rose.

With Matt Kuchar at sunset after he shot a final round 63 to capture the Bronze Medal for the USA!

With Matt Kuchar at sunset after he shot a final round 64 to capture the Bronze Medal for the USA!

The men competed first. They qualified by standing in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) over the previous two years, ending July 11^th. There were male golfers from 34 countries. By virtue of the limits of four golfers in the OWGR Top 15 and two per country beyond that, 10 countries had one golfer, 23 countries had two golfers and the United States had four qualifiers- Bubba Watson (OWGR No. 6), Rickie Fowler (7), Patrick Reed (13) and Matt Kuchar (15). The field of 60 golfers, first playing in threesomes all four days of the 72-hole stroke play event, was the perfect size to insure an intimate and personable presentation of golf to the world.

Australia’s Marcus Fraser started strong. Opening with an 8-under par 63, followed by a 69 put him into contention but a 72-72 weekend left him without an Olympic Medal. Kuchar rose to the occasion with a sensation 63 in the final round locking up the Bronze Medal early on with a final margin of four strokes. Reed had his best day on Sunday posting a 64 and finishing T11, a meaningless designation in Olympic terms. Despite an opening 73, Bubba came back with a pair of 67s and then a final round of 70 to finish T8, six strokes out of a playoff. Rickie shot a 64 in the third round but did not manage to break par in the other three and finished T37.

Olympic Golf Medalists: Center Gold- Justin Rose; Left Silver- Henrik Stenson; and Right Bronze Matt Kuchar.

Perfect for television, the head-to-head battle between Sweden’s Henrik Stenson and the likable Justin Rose for Olympic Gold began with Justin leading by one stroke starting the final round. That one stroke lead remained throughout the first nine holes with both players 3-under par for the day. Stenson birdied the par-5 10^th hole to draw even and then took the lead when Rose bogeyed the par-4 13^th hole. The lead continued to vacillate between the Brit and the Swede with a Stenson bogey on the par-3 14^th hole and a Rose birdie on the par-4 15^th hole. Stenson birdied the short par-4 16^th hole, both parred the par-3 17^th hole and the Olympic Gold Medal all came down to the par-5 18^th hole as designed.

A brilliant chip by Rose, quite reminiscent of his world debut as a 17-year old in the 1998 Open at Royal Birkdale, was the difference in podium spots. This one didn’t go in but it was close enough for a tap-in birdie and for the Olympics’ top prize as Stenson failed to make his birdie putt to force a playoff.

Afterwards, when asked about his Olympic experience, Rose responded “I just think for me, what was hardening was hearing comments from guys who really weren’t in contention, who spoke positively, about it being one of the best golfing weeks of their lives says it all.”

“Obviously winning the Gold Medal is an incredible experience, but for me it was deeper than just the podium; it was the wonderful spirit here in Rio, which I think speaks to the bigger picture of what a success it’s been.”

That Rio 2016 Olympic Golf success will live on with Rose for the next four years. Rose carries the Olympic Gold Medal on his person all the time and even took it out of his golf bag and put it around his neck to tap in to finish at The Barclays two weeks later back in the States.

With Inbee Park, Women’s Olympic Golf Gold Medalist and her Gold Medal after she won on Saturday, August 20th in Rio at the Olympic Golf Course.

The women’s competition was equally as exciting but just the opposite of the men’s. Inbee Park started strong and continued strong to walk to the highest level on the Olympic podium to be crowned with with an Olympic Gold Medal. A race for the Silver Medal ensued early in the final round between China’s Shanshan Feng and New Zealand’s Lydia Ko and lasted all day right down to the final group. Another brilliant chip and tap-in birdie on the 18^th hole by Ko secured the Silver Medal. China’s Shanshan Feng won Bronze by one stroke over a disappointed and heartbroken threesome of America’s Stacy Lewis, China’s Amy Yang and Japan’s Harukyo Nomura.

Park’s testimony to Olympic Golf was as heartfelt as Rose’s when she said “this is definitely one of the special moments in my golfing career and in my whole life. It feels great. Obviously representing your country, winning the gold, it’s so special. It’s just really all I’ve wanted. I’m just happy.”

With Gil Hanse at the 2016 Golf Olympics, who designed the Olympic Golf Course with input from World Golf Hall of Famer Amy Alcott.

While Lewis led the American contingent based on a second round 63 and a final round 66, it was really Gerina Piller, playing in the final group with Park and Ko, that looked like she would win an Olympic Medal for the United States. Unfortunately her putter cooled off and she struggled to post a final round 74 and finish T11. The other American lady Olympic golfer was Lexi Thompson who started the final round with an eagle and shot 66 to finish T19.

Like the men golfers, the women golfers came from 34 countries with 11 countries with one golfer, 21 countries with two golfers, the United States with three golfers and Korea with four golfers. Russia’s Maria Verchenova shot a crazy 62 in the final round, including nine birdies and an ace on the par-3 4^th hole, to set the new Olympic course record.

The International Golf Federation, led by President Peter Dawson, Vice President Ty Votaw and Executive Director Anthony Scanlon, staged as near perfect golfing competition as could be. Each competition endured one bout of rainy weather yet the golf course remained firm and fast. There was wind to remind us of golf’s Scottish heritage, history and tradition. No wind, no golf. The setup of the golf course, including closely mowed fairways that were lined by Brazilian forever wild, tee and hole locations was brilliantly done.

With Gil Hanse in January 2014 on what was then a well-designed sand box. Truly a life experience to come back 2-1/2 years later to see the golf course completed and witness the 2016 Golf Olympics!

The golf course design itself was divine. On a fairly flat piece of land that sloped from pure sand to the protected low restinga wetlands, the aerial views of the treeless links led to the nearby ocean and were magnificent. The par-71 course opens each nine with a par -5 and finishes with a reachable though not always nor easily reachable par-5. In fact the finishing four holes were designed for the exciting and entertaining Olympic finishes witnessed in Rio. The long and difficult par-4 15^th. The short par-4 16^th that Stacy Lewis drove yet missed the 15-foot eagle putt. The well bunkered and curvy green on the par-3 17^th brought drama that brought out the competitive and fun Spirit of Olympic Golf.

As it turned out, there was nothing like Olympic Golf in golf today. While golf is a worldwide sport, Olympic Golf was widely watched around the world. More importantly, more governments are now actively supporting the growth of golf because it is an Olympic Sport.

As for the future, there remains an Olympic Oddity that the decision of whether golf continues to be an Olympic Sport beyond Tokyo 2020 will be made before Olympic Golf reappears there in four years.

The 120 golfers that came and competed in Rio reignited the Olympic Spirit of Golf.

Olympic Golf is Back and it’s Great!

Congratulations to Inbee Park and Justin Rose, Olympic Gold Medalists, Champion Golfers of the World for the next Four Years.

This article was first published on Bruce Vittner’s Southern New England Golfer (Pg. 25 of Fall/Winter 2016 Issue).

Filed Under: Golf's Olympic Spirit, Hickory Golf, People in Golf, PGA TOUR Golf, Uncategorized

Day 13: Final Round of Men’s Olympic Golf: Rose Gold, Stenson Silver, & Kuchar Bronze!

August 19, 2016 By admin

One more thought as I continue to search for and define the “Olympic Spirit of Golf”… there is a reason those five Olympic Rings, representing the people of all seven continents, are interconnected… (Facebook Post with 1 video, Andy Reistetter, 8-14-16)

CLICK HERE for Video of Nation and Olympic Flags Blowing in the Wind!

Final group of England’s Justin Rose, Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, & Australia’s Marcus Fraser are off on Olympic Golf Gold Medal Sunday… thinking the Olympic Golf Gold Medal Champion of the World will come from this group but hoping & pulling for Americans’ Bubba Watson, Matt Kuchar and Rickie Fowler who with a record 62 could win Olympic Gold! (Facebook Post with 1 video, Andy Reistetter, 8-14-16)

Two man race for Olympic Golf Gold! Henrik Stenson & Justin Rose teeing off par-3 8th tee all square, 6 strokes clear of the field… (Facebook Post with 1 video, Andy Reistetter, 8-14-16)

Wow, what a great Olympic Golf finish! Congratulations to England’s Justin Rose, Olympic Golf Gold Medalist, Champion Golfer of the World for the next 4 years! Congratulations to Sweden’s Henrik Stenson (Silver) & United States’ Matt Kuchar (Bronze) & all 60 Golf Olympians! (Facebook Post with 1 pic, Andy Reistetter, 8-14-16)

Was that Olympic Golf at its best or what!!! Kuchar locks in the bronze, Rose & Stenson duking it out down to the last hole, the last pitch & Putt with Rose winning Olympic Golf Gold! Here’s my day leading up to the fateful finish… (Facebook Post with 29 pics and 2 videos, Andy Reistetter, 8-14-16)

Matt Kuchar teeing off the 8th hole in the final round:

Bubba Watson teeing off the 8th hole in the final round:

Didn’t England’s Justin Rose pitch on 18 to win Olympic Golf Gold remind you of that 17-year old kid who holed that dramatic shot at Royal Birkdale in the 1998 British Open? What a finish! What a Victory Medal Ceremony! What a great guy! Hats off to Sweden’s Henrik Stenson for dueling Rose to the end and United States’ Matt Kuchar for a brilliant 63 to take the Bronze Medal! TROML Day, then home to do laundry. Two days of Rio sightseeing & Olympic beach volleyball & hockey and then the Women’s Olympic Golf competition! USA! USA!! USA!!! (Facebook Post with 30 pics, Andy Reistetter, 8-14-16)

Justin Rose, Olympic Golf Gold Medal Champion Golfer for the next 4 years… the Olympic Spirit of Golf is born again after 112 years… need I say more? (Facebook Post with 1 video, Andy Reistetter, 8-14-16)

More pictures from the final round of the 2017 Summer Golf Olympics!

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Filed Under: Hickory Golf, PGA TOUR Golf, Summer 2016 Golf Olympics

Day 13: What an Honor to Interview Olympic Golf Gold Medalist Justin Rose!!!

August 19, 2016 By admin

So exciting to be back in Rio to witness history as Olympic Golf returns after an absence of 112 years. For me it has been a 2-1/2 year journey since I first came to Rio on the original October 2013 ‘Journey to Olympic Golf,’ a 100-day, 14-country, 14,871-mile odyssey.

To witness Olympic Golf for four days straight and then see Matt Kuchar capture the Olympic Bronze with a spectacular final round 64 and have the honor to interview Justin Rose, the “Olympic Golf Gold Medalist and Champion Golfer for the Next Four Years,” was a dream come true! TROML Baby!

Here is my interview with Justin about the ‘Spirit of Olympic Golf!’

Filed Under: Summer 2016 Golf Olympics

Day 14: Seeing the Sights All Around Rio & USA-Brazil Men’s Beach Volleyball!

August 18, 2016 By admin

Exciting day of sightseeing in Rio with my good American friend Merri Daniel… Christ the Redeemer, Olympic Beach Volleyball (Brazil beat USA Men) & Olympic Boulevard… inspiring to see the Olympic Cauldron again at Candeleria Church… good to speek English all day without Google Translate… so much help from Cariocas along the way.. Rio is a great tourist destination with or without the Olympics… now I am taking a day off skipping hockey which I thought was ice hockey in the Summer Olympics, LOL… need to recover and rest up for tomorrow’s start of Women’s Olympic Golf! GO USA! (Facebook Post with 30 pics, Andy Reistetter, 8-16-16)

One of the best views in the world, perhaps the most inspiring… (Facebook Post with 1 video, Andy Reistetter, 8-16-16)

CLICK HERE for Video View from Christ The Redeemer on Corcovoda Mountain in Rio!

Kind of a strange Olympic Beach Volleyball experience… arriving in a wind and sandstorm at Copacabana Beach…crazy windy in the grandstands… great volleyball game with Brazil defeating the USA in 3 games… enthusiastic local Brazil crowd… definitely one of the most exciting Olympic experiences other than the Olympic Golf Victory Ceremony with Kuch taking Bronze, Stenson Silver and Justin Rose Olympic Golf Gold! (Facebook Post with 1 video, Andy Reistetter, 8-16-16)

Sadly, Brazil beat USA in this Men’s Olympic Beach Volleyball match…

CLICK HERE for Video of the Olympic Men’s Beach Volleyball Match USA vs. Brazil.

More pictures from this exciting sightseeing and beach volleyball day in the Olympic City of Rio!