SOUTHPORT (Reuters) - Golf's professional and amateur bodies have joined forces in a bid to reappear as an Olympic sport after an absence of more than 100 years.

Under the umbrella of the International Golf Federation (IGF), an Olympic committee will prepare and promote golf's attempt to claim one of two spots available at the 2016 Games.

Golf, which first featured as an Olympic sport in Paris in 1900 and failed in its latest bid for inclusion at the 2012 Games, will be vying with rugby sevens, squash, karate, roller sports, softball and baseball.

"This will not be plain sailing and we have much work ahead of us," Royal and Ancient Golf Club (R&A) chief executive Peter Dawson, who is also joint secretary of the IGF, said during a news conference at Royal Birkdale on Wednesday.

"Stiff competition but we do feel we're putting together the right organisation to get the job done.

"It's been made very clear to us on several occasions by the IOC (International Olympic Committee) that if golf is to be in the Olympics, it has to be for the top players in the world. Golf will not get in if it's to be for amateurs.

"What we are here to announce today is that the amateur and professional games have come together to speak with one voice to impress upon the Olympic movement that golf is serious about wanting to join the Games."

The IGF's Olympic committee represents the R&A, the United States Golf Association, the LPGA, the PGA Tour, the European Tour, Augusta National Golf Club and the PGA of America.

Ty Votaw of the PGA Tour will serve as the committee's executive director until the IOC selects the two sports for 2016.

"We have a lot of work ahead between now and the time the IOC makes its decision in October of 2009," Votaw said.

OLYMPIC IDEAL

"Certainly golf's globality, the number of countries it's played in, the number of countries that have an ability to win a medal in the Olympics, the worldwide commercial appeal of the sport, as well as all of the other values that are part of our game, match up so well with the Olympic ideal."

Dawson said feedback from leading players had been upbeat over the prospect of golf's inclusion.

"We've talked to many players about this and in the women's game the feedback is extremely positive," he added.

"In the men's game it's growing. It's becoming more and more positive. We've had very welcome, positive statements from players here this week."

Dawson said strokeplay competition would be the proposed format for golf at the Games, with men and women taking part.

Madrid, Chicago, Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro are bidding to become the host city for the 2016 Olympics.

Golf first featured as an Olympic sport in 1900 when Americans Charles Sands and Margaret Abbott won gold medals in the men's and women's individual events.

The sport made its second and last appearance four years later at the St Louis Games where Canada's George Lyon won the individual title.

(Editing by Tony Jimenez)