Toronto: Golf made its debut at the Pan American Games on Thursday, warming up for its return to the Olympic family next year in Rio de Janeiro after a 112-year absence.
The four-day tournament has a modest mix of professionals and amateurs: 64 players, 32 men and 32 women. But knowing this event leads to Olympic golf makes it big. Very big.
“It’s going to be awesome,” said Felipe Aguilar, who shot a first-round 3-under 69, and hopes to represent Chile next year in the Rio Games.
“When you have a chance to represent your country, your flag and be with your peers - that’s special,” Aguilar said. “Golf is a very individual game, and when you play something like this it’s not individual, it’s a whole-country thing.”
