Golf world takes right medicine

Paul Gallagher on how the world of golf has initiated moves to come in line with other sporting organisations in its anti-doping stance

When dealing with the issue of drugs in sport, golf's leading authorities had - up until now - taken a somewhat regressive view on the potential threat. It wasn't a case of burying their heads in the sand, it was more about assuming a high moral stance and stating there simply is no drugs problem in the most honest sport of them all. Last week, however, the powers that be agreed to an anti-doping policy for professional golf on a global basis.

Rather than coming to the table kicking and screaming to address the issue of doping, there was recognition by the game's leading authorities that the problem simply wouldn't go away. Instead of having an anti-doping procedure imposed on the sport at some point further down the line, it makes sense for the world of golf to gets its own house in order first. And if there is no doping problem within the sport, what better way to illustrate this point than proving it through proper drug testing procedures?

Last week's announcement read like a who's who as heads of the game's leading organisations stood shoulder to shoulder to deliver their collective message. Tim Finchem, PGA Tour commissioner and arguably the most powerful man in golf, led proceedings and announced the "first of a two-phase global anti-doping policy".

"The first phase is now complete and the The Model Prohibited Substance and Methods List classes those substances which have been determined to be performance enhancing and will now be banned from professional golf," said Finchem, making reference to the list of 10 categories and two which are optional.

The announcement was made under the banner of the World Golf Foundation, who will play an integral part in the administration and communication process when anti-doping programmes are up and running. "There are two variations (Glucocorticosteroids and Beta-2-Agonists) that will not be prohibited in golf, but are on the WADA (World Anti-Doping Authority) banned list utilised at the Olympics and certain other sports. We do not consider these two substances anyway impactful to the game of golf, plus it would be a significant administration burden to deal with."

It was made clear the "Model List" of banned substances was just that; a model list as opposed to a definitive list. The different golf organisations may adopt variations to the list for reasons "unique to that organisation" or there may be "specific government requirements in different parts of the world". However, the consensus is for a universal list so there can be no confusion, especially as professional golf is very much a global game.

"The second phase of the policy is expected to be completed before the end of the year," added Finchem. "In all there six main areas to deal with all the fundamentals of an anti-doping programme. First we have the initial model list, then in phase two there is procedures related to therapeutic exemptions, testing protocols, results management, penalties and finally outcomes to ensure discipline is recognised on all the tours around the world."

In truth, the PGA Tour have been one of the one most reluctant organisations to go down this anti-doping road and outgoing WADA chairman Dick Pound was never shy in questioning the omission of an anti-doping policy in golf. That said, he welcomed golf's decision to come in line with other sports, but added that any anti-doping regime should include a test for HGH (Human Growth Hormone), describing it as the "drug of choice for anyone who wants to hit the ball far".

THE LADIES PROFESSIONAL Golf Association (LPGA) has been one of the most proactive golf organisations, and plan to have their anti-doping programme in place by the start of 2008 after they had already drawn up a list of banned substances.

"While none of us have any reason to believe there is a problem with performance enhancing drugs in golf, we welcome the collaboration on this anti-doping policy, which will provide a greater levels of consistency, yet still provide the flexibility within each organisation to customise a programme to best suit each membership and schedule," explained LPGA commissioner Carolyn Bivans, who has had a difficult tenure as her methods have come in for much criticism.

On this side of the Atlantic both the R&A and the European Tour welcome the introduction of a global anti-doping policy.

"There has been great input from all the government and amateur foundations we deal with across Europe and beyond," said George O'Grady, executive director, the European Tour, who said they were led in this drive by the R&A. "The great news is all the main governing bodies are on side, and that includes the four major championships, which are the focus of our game.

"It's important we have this co-ordinated policy and not just one tour going off on its own sweet way. This is very good news for the whole of world golf," added O'Grady, who was non-specific with regard to their policy start date in 2008.

Peter Dawson, chief executive of the R&A, firmly believes there is no drug problem in golf but welcomes this approach nonetheless. "The R&A has no reason to believe that golf is anything other than a clean sport. But we've been supportive of a co-ordinated international effort to test for drugs so that we can demonstrate that our sport is clean and we can keep it that way," said Dawson.

"It's terrific that all of the major golf organisations of the world have come together in this initiative, and we're delighted that we're going to have a great degree of international consistency in the way this subject is handled. It's a very good day for golf.

"As far as the Open championship is concerned, we've taken a policy decision that the Open will fall into line with whatever drug testing regime the tours and specifically in our case, the European Tour, develops. So the Open will be just as another week on tour."

The issue of drug use became topical at this year's British Open at Carnoustie when Gary Player spoke out and insisted he knew of cases where golfers had taken performance enhancing substances. Even though the South African veteran never followed through and named anyone, this did bring the debate into focus.

For many years now some of the game's leading players have been calling for mandatory drug testing within the sport. Former world number one players such as Australian Greg Norman and Zimbabwe's Nick Price voiced their support as has the game's current leading light Tiger Woods.

When Finchem spoke with his PGA Tour hat on he was less emphatic but agreed the new drug policy was inevitable and necessary. "It's true we need to be proactive to the realities of what's happening in sport, but for the problems in other sports I doubt we'd be at this point (in golf)," noted Finchem.

"It doesn't mean we like it and we are concerned about shifting the culture of our sport from one where you know the rules, you play by the rules. If you violate the rules, you call a penalty on yourself to one where you engage in testing then perhaps creating this spectre that an organisation doesn't trust what the players say, which is certainly not the case currently."

ON THE UPSIDE Finchem suggested golf's late introduction of a drugs policy - compared to other sports - can work to their advantage. "We have learnt from watching what other sports have done and in some cases not always getting it right. We have been quite deliberate on our approach and that's surely a positive message for the game.

"The PGA Tour will include a recommendation to our board in November with a view to commencing the policy sometime in late spring 2008 after we have the chance to thoroughly educate out players," added Finchem.

If reading between the lines it is unlikely the anti-doping policy will be fully implemented before next year's first major, the US Masters at Augusta in April.

"This is all in development of protocols and we will be looking at the entire issues and seeing what the main tours are doing first before determining how we proceed," said Jim Armstrong at Augusta National.

Each of the governing bodies will be responsible for carrying out their own testing procedures and educating their members. There will be an anti-doping office operating out of the World Golf Foundation from 2008, but will not be part of any procedures, instead they will assist in educating players about banned substances and serve as a communication go between among the many world tours and organisations.

Aside from the European Tour, the R&A, PGA Tour, PGA of America, United States Golf Association (USGA) LPGA and Augusta National Golf Club, other leading organisations who have signed up or have have agreed to become signatories to the Policy include: the Asian Tour, Australasian Tour, Canadian Tour, Japan Professional Golf Tour, Sunshine Tour and Tour de Las Americas.

In terms of educating players, Dr Olivier Rabin, science director at WADA, said there are undoubtedly substances which could enhance aspects of a golfer's performance.

"Obviously if you look for strength and power anabolic steroids could certainly help, possibly even Human Growth Hormones. When it comes to skills and focus, which are needed over long periods of time in golf, then any number of stimulants come into play," explained Rabin, who made comparisons to skill sets within shooting and archery.

"Beta-blockers can help performance in shooting and archery disciplines as they are known to reduce tremors and therefore facilitate accuracy when the key gesture is conducted by the athlete." This observation would also apply to when a golfer is standing over a crucial putt when in contention at a tournament.

"No sport is immune to doping and I would say no human ability cannot be enhanced by drugs as there are so many available today. It is naïve to think no human function can be enhanced by drugs, it's not the case anymore," added Rabin, who along with his colleagues at WADA happened to announce the updated list of banned substances for 2008 last weekend.

There are differing opinions regarding the introduction of drug testing in golf, but on the whole it should be recognised as a positive move - no pun intended. Granted, there is much still to do and be decided by way of implementation. Procedures and penalties are just some of the areas which still need fine-tuning.

The issue of drugs in sport is here to stay and the best way to declare golf a drug-free sport is to prove it through a recognised anti-doping policy.