Tim Finchem likes the idea of golf returning as an Olympic sport.

He likes it so much that he has made his views official, i.e. public, the first step in gathering support for the idea.

In fact, in order for the International Olympic Committee to even consider the idea - which wouldn't happen before next year and only for the 2016 Games at the earliest - it has to be formally presented by the recognized world body of golf, the International Golf Federation.

Fortunately, the IGF federation is run by David Fay, USGA executive director and the chief executive of the Royal and Ancient, Peter Dawson.

Fay says the IOC will not even glance at a proposal unless every major tour organization backs it.

Which is why Finchem's view is a highly critical and persuasive one, given the power and global reach of the PGA Tour.

When current Augusta National chairman Billy Payne was running the Atlanta Games back in 1996, golf was on the agenda. Any Olympic golf events would have taken place at Augusta, too, but the idea was rejected by the IOC after they caught wind of how exclusive Augusta was: no women, no blacks.

David Fay says another attempt was made for the 2005 Olympics in Athens but it failed because the various tours didn't support it.

So that's the background. But does the Olympic Games need golf?

Frankly, if you'd asked me ten years ago, I would have said no. Now, I have to say yes.

The Olympics would benefit greatly from having golf as one of its summer sports. And here's why: the IOC reminds us - especially throughout the current and very turbulent Olympic torch relay to Beijing - that the spirit of the Games is about brotherhood (or sisterhood, if you prefer).

Every president, including the current one, Jacques Rogge, emphasizes that sports and politics do not and must not mix.

That's virtually impossible with the Beijing Olympics as it was with the stunted Moscow Games of 1980.

But golf offers a sport in which the players govern themselves. There isn't a more honest, honorable sport than golf. And it's the only one that is virtually drug-free. That alone has to appeal to the IOC.

As such, golf in many ways epitomizes the true Olympic spirit. Individual competition where each competitor does his or her best against other individual competitors.

What could be more simple? Plus, the game is growing around the world - including China and is now a truly global sport.

I think it's a no-brainer. But for the sport to be accepted by the IOC's selection committee and ultimately its executive committee, it will need to rid itself of its "white-dominated" mantle that scuppered its chances in 1996.

Rightly or wrongly, that is how many in the Olympic movement see the sport today.