Construction on the course was due to begin in October last year, but following a legal dispute over the ownership of the land between Italian developer Mauro Pasquale and Elmway Participacoes, it has seen severe delays to its construction to the point where there were fears that it may not be ready in time to hold a test event before the Games.

But Dawson has claimed that he has been assured that the course will be completed in time to hold a ramp-up event.

"I can announce happily that last weekend all the permits needed to start constructing the course was issued down in Rio so that work can now proceed at pace," he said.

"If the construction schedule goes to plan, the course will be completed in good time for a test event and then for the Games tournament.

"It had not been a responsibility of the International Golf Federation (IGF) to supply a venue, as was the case for stadiums in London for the most recent London Olympics.

"Instead, it is the IGF's responsibility to ensure that the golf course is technically right and adequate.

"It has been a worry what with all the delays, so let's just hope we can get it done and crack on."

Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman also claimed last month that he had no fears about the ever-tightening deadline for construction on the Gil Hanse-designed course.

"We have signed the contract with the owner of the land so we are in control of the project and have already started," he said.

Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman claims that he is not concerned about the timescale for construction of the golf course to be used at the Games

"It is not something that is completely to do with the Organising Committee as it is also a matter for the Government but it is definitely all sorted and we will certainly have the golf course ready on time."

Golf is returning to the Olympics after a 112-year absence for Rio 2016, but concerns from some players over the format of the tournament have also caused some problems with its comeback to the Games.

"As you know, we went for 72-hole stroke-play for men and 72-hole stroke-play for women and that was after player consultation, and at the time, we wanted to be certain we had players support," said Dawson.

"We had women support very strongly but not all of the men.

"We thought that to go canter to them would risk player support so we didn't do that.

"So, we will go with that format for 2016, have a cracking good golf competition and then review it for future years rather than try and experiment with something different in four years' time."

Dawson remains confident however that the world's top players will compete in Rio and provide a successful tournament on which they can build on for the future to ensure that the sport retains its position on the Olympic sports programme.

"I would expect the world's best players to play," he said.

"I have spoken to many players and through their individual tours and the mood seems to be very much so."

Construction on the course began last month, five months behind schedule.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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