First Olympic Golf Medals Rewarded In Nanjing

The Youth Olympic Games are currently taking place in Nanjing, China (and I'm sure you've ALL been watching) and for the first time in over a hundred years, Olympic medals have been rewarded in an official Olympic competition. Part of the reason this event hasn't gotten any coverage through the golf media is because the big name young golfers either decided not to play or were ineligible. The United States didn't even field a team, and only amateurs were eligible. Still, this was a landmark moment for golf as they continue to move towards Rio 2016.

On the boys' side, the gold went to Renato Paratore of Italy, silver to Marcus Kinhult of Sweden, and Danthai Boonma of Thailand. Paratore is the 5th ranked amateur player in the world and won a couple of European amateur events, including the Portuguese Amateur Championship. He's also played a few events on the European Tour, and made the cut at the Open de Espana back in May. Several members of the Italian press are already comparing Paratore to the Molinari Brothers, Matteo Manassero, and Costatino Rocca. It's amazing how quickly Italian golf has surged.

The the girls' side, Korea's So-Young Lee won the golf, Cheng Ssu-Chia of Taiwan won the silver, and Supamas Sangchan won the bronze, completing the Asian sweep of the girls division. So-Young Lee played in one event on the LPGA Tour this season, finishing T22 at the LOTTE Championship. She also qualified for this years US Women's Open, but withdrew before the start of competition. Lee has stated that she will turn pro after the Asian Games, so look for her on the KLPGA Tour next season.

There was also a mixed team event, which is not an event that will be on the schedule at Rio. Sweden took home the golf, Korea the silver, and Italy the bronze. Congratulations to all the medalists!