To paraphrase Dickens, From a “Tale of Two Cities”, 2016 promises to be either the best of times or the worst of times for PGA Tour Players.
As we enter another calendar Year with the wrap around schedule (only God, Tiger Woods and the commissioner knows when one golf season ends and the next begins), we have the Ryder Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics to look forward to, or do we?
Unlike the Presidents Cup where team USA is a force to be reckoned with, the Ryder Cup has of late been a veritable disaster for our side of the pond. Perhaps the 20 somethings will herald a new generation of the likes of Nicklaus, Trevino and Azinger and return the Cup to our shores and thereby solidify Davis Love the IIIs royal standing. I fear however that if we lose another contest, the allure and fan interest in the Ryder Cup will wane.
The Ryder Cup: September 30 – October 2, 2016
Venue: Hazeltine National Golf Club
Location: Chaska, Minnesota
Captains: Davis Love III (USA) & Darren Clarke(Europe)
Now onto the Olympics. This might be the most exciting time for the USA and other countries. This will also help promote golf as a sport and will be introduced to non golf fans with the potential of them gaining an interest in the sport.
BUT, the potential for disaster is frightening. Each country is limited to its 4 top players so if the selection were today Jim Furyk, a fan favorite and # 9 in the world (5th out of the USA players), would be off the team. However, our team of Spieth/Watson/Fowler & DJ—would be the dream team expected to bring home the Gold. Can USA golf survive anything less than Gold?
The 2016 Olympics: August 11 – August 14, 2016
Golf at the 2016 Summer Olympics will be in Rio de Janeiro,Brazil, and is scheduled at a new course that will be built in the Reserva de Marapendi in the Barra da Tijuca zone.
It will be the first time golf has played at the Olympics since the 1904 Summer Olympics and while it is exciting for golf fans, players have big decisions to make on how to best train and prepare, smack in the middle of a busy golf season.
2016 brings many interesting scenarios, challenges and a lot of teamwork, and it is sure to be an exciting year.
Let the games begin!
Golfer Insights 
You are correct team USA needs at least one victory this year for the UNITED STATES to maintain its status as the center of the golf world