FURTHER talks may be held in the next few months to explore the possibility of golf becoming an Olympic sport again in 2004.
Michael Bonallack, secretary of both the Royal and Ancient Club and the World Amateur Golf Council, which was formed with the Olympics in mind, said yesterday: "It has been suggested that we meet with the International Olympic Committee later this year.
"Golf very nearly was accepted for 1996, but I think it got very political. The Atlanta organising committee originally wanted it, but then withdrew their support late in the day.
"The IOC laid down the conditions that it had to have the support of all the main golf tours - America, Europe, Asia, Japan, South Africa and Australasia - and that all the best players take part.
"We had that agreement and were prepared to change our constitution to encompass the professional bodies. But then the Americans wanted to rethink and in the end it didn't happen."
It still has to be decided by the council whether golf in the Olympics should be a professional or amateur tournament, but with the introduction of tennis and the basketball Dream Team the IOC seems to have made its philosophy clear.
Nick Faldo, preparing for the US PGA championship in Kentucky, said: "It's every boy or girl's dream to take part in the Olympics and I was no different, but now I'm confused about the amateurism, semi-amateurism, professional, superstar, mega-professionals.
"I don't know what the Olympics is meant to be when they've got that whole scale. It seems very strange. So I'm not too sure whether golf needs it, to be honest."
