Heartache for Dutch golfers denied Olympics by their own country: ‘We don’t think you’re worthy’

None of Netherlands’ four eligible players met the above requirement for 2024. The top OGR ranking at the cutoff date was held by van Dam (34th), followed by Luiten (40th), van Driel (50th) and Weber (58th).

The Dutch federation added an alternative path last fall for those who fail to meet the first requirement. If a player is among the top 59 in OGR, players can designate up to eight tournaments with a strong field of participants and need at least a top-eight finish. Van Dam’s runner-up in the LET’s Tour Championship last November made her eligible.

“To be honest, I don’t think [the extra standards] make any sense,” van Dam said to NOS news.

“I think it’s a shame that things aren’t being expanded a little,” Luiten said. “Then more Dutch people also have a chance. Van Dam was there in Tokyo, Wil Besseling was not. More participants would be good for Dutch golf and for the medal chances. It is a great pity that [the Dutch federation] ruins those chances itself.”

In one final push, on June 14, the Netherlands Golf Federation (NGF), along with Luiten, met with the federation and gave an extensive presentation on golf-specific information to clarify why Luiten, van Dreil, and Weber could all potentially play well at Le Golf National, the 2024 Olympic golf venue.

Weber saw the data ahead of the meeting and said it ranged from generalities to specifics of the sport. The probability of a top-eight finish is higher in the Olympics compared to LPGA and PGA Tour events because there are only 60 players instead of a typical 144 to 156. Results at one tournament often don’t correlate to others due to varying grass types, climates and hole designs at courses. Results such as World No. 276 Lauren Hartlage’s T-5 at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship happen in golf. While uncommon, victories from the LPGA and PGA Tour do come from those outside the top 100 in the world.

“Despite these efforts, no other Dutch golfers will be sent to the Olympic Games in Paris besides Anne van Dam,” the Netherlands Golf Federation in a statement. “[The Dutch Olympic federation] believes that there is insufficient reason to deviate from the national criteria.”

The governing bodies have decided to meet to discuss the national selection criteria for the 2028 Games on a “different, more realistic basis” based on golf specifically. That doesn’t remedy the frustration from a lifelong dream missed for Weber to represent her country in the Olympics.

“Why don’t you change that for this year already,” Weber questioned. “You admit that there have been mistakes that have been made because your original criteria weren’t conducive to the sport that we play. Not changing them then for this year makes no sense in my mind. Like, what does four years make a difference?”