"The Olympics is seen as the most significant driver of the growth of the game around the world, " said Mike McCarley, Golf Channel's president.

WSJ: Fairway to Rio: Golf Comes to the Olympic Games

Actually, the comment came from a beaming Mike Davis, the U.S. Golf Association's executive director and the brains behind how the Lake Course at Olympic Club was set up for the Open.

WSJ: 2012 U.S. Open: An Olympian Effort Just to Survive

Det Con Mike Taylor said the thieves got a high value haul from Bramley Golf Club.

BBC: Bramley Golf Club trophies stolen