Golf's return to the Olympics an inspirational experience, says Paul McGinley

Ireland's team captain, Paul McGinley, reflects on a memorable week in Rio and feels inspired by the experience of being part of golf's historic return to the Olympic Games after a 112-year absence.

This time last year I wrote about how we should defy the sceptics and embrace the return of golf to the Olympic Games, and the players who are in Rio competing this week have certainly done that. There was a lot of talk leading into this tournament about the absentees, but the focus has shifted - quite rightly - to the players that are here because they genuinely want to be here.

We're enjoying the atmosphere, taking everything in, and we're getting really good access to all the other events. Staying in the Olympic Village has been an amazing experience, so much so that a couple of players who had booked private accommodation have now relocated to the Village.

It's so much fun there, mixing with athletes from other sports and other countries and spending time with them is what it's all about. I think everybody is benefitting from being a part of the Olympic experience.

The Olympic Golf Course is excellent. It's been bright and breezy for the first round, and that's quite fitting as it's a links style course. It's a fantastic layout by a fantastic architect in Gil Hanse, and it has certainly had positive feedback from the players.

There's been a few critics of the format for the tournament, but I don't think the International Golf Federation had any other option but to run a standard 72-hole stroke play event. It's the first edition for 112 years, and the IGF are aware of that and probably didn't want to take any chances.

But I'm sure they will sit down after the Olympics and discuss all the available options for the next Games in Tokyo in four years' time.

Scoring has been very good over the first round and, according to the weather forecast, Thursday will be the toughest conditions of the four days. It's going to get warmer as the week goes on, and the breeze should drop quite a bit.

I've been surprised at how big the crowds have been, and tickets for the weekend have sold out, so that's very encouraging. People just love Olympic sport, and that Olympic spirit is undoubtedly infectious. I've been lucky enough to go to six different events over the last week, and the atmosphere and enthusiasm among both the competitors and the spectators has been memorable.

The players are kind of riding on the back of that Olympic spirit and they've been inspired by watching other athletes performing. A few of us went to see swimming legend Michael Phelps winning yet another gold medal the other night, and to be there to witness that was an incredible experience.  

We saw Katie Ledecky dominating in the pool, and then Phelps created more Olympic history and it was impossible to come away from that arena without feeling inspired. That's the one word that all the players here are drawing on at the moment - inspiration.

For Team Ireland this week, we have the vastly experienced Padraig Harrington with relative newcomer Seamus Power, and it's an exciting blend. Seamus has gained valuable knowledge and insight from playing practice rounds with Padraig each day and he's been coming along to all the events with us in the evenings.

He's still coming to terms with being an Olympian, but he's embracing it and it's a huge boost for him so early in his career. He's been impressive on the Web.com Tour this year and he will graduate to the main PGA Tour next season, and being in Rio will help him immensely.

Seamus has nothing to lose, he has no lofty weight of expectation on his shoulders and he can go out and play with freedom and enjoy the week. If he comes away with a medal, that's a huge bonus, but he's a winner already simply by being an Olympian.

And for all Padraig's experience from over 20 years as a professional, and his three major victories, being a part of the Olympic Games has been completely new to him. Like us, he's been excited and inspired by everything we've seen over the last six days.

From the Opening Ceremony, to the electric atmosphere at every stadium we've been to, and getting to spend time with all the other athletes in the Village, and not just our compatriots.

I went to the Team GB headquarters and spoke to a number of their trainers and coaches about how they prepare their athletes for each individual sport, so it's been a huge learning curve for me as well as the rest of our team.

It's great to be involved, and we'll go away from this better prepared for every challenge we face in the future. There are 28 sports featuring at the Olympic Games, and for golf to be one of those 28 is an inspiration for all those involved in the game.