Catriona Matthew hopes the absence of the world's leading male players at the Rio Olympics will not damage the sport's future at the Games.
The return of golf to the Olympics this summer after an absence of 112 years has proved controversial with numerous players - including the top four in the men's world rankings - pulling out.
Concerns over the Zika virus and scheduling issues have been chief among the reasons for withdrawal, although world number four Rory McIlroy has suggested he was indifferent to the event anyway.
Consequently there are now questions over whether the sport has a long-term Olympic future and that disappoints veteran Matthew, who along with Charley Hull will represent Great Britain in the women's event in Brazil.
Matthew said: "Obviously they have given their reasons for not going - the Zika virus - and you've got to understand them but it is disappointing.
"I think ladies' golf will probably benefit a lot more than men's golf - they get so much exposure already.
"For ladies' golf to get in there and get much more media exposure and exposure to people who perhaps don't play golf, I think will be great. I just hope the men not going doesn't lead to golf coming out of the Olympics. The ladies are supporting it so hopefully they could stay in it."
It has been quite a couple of weeks for Matthew. Her participation in the Olympics was officially confirmed last week and now she has been named as one of Annika Sorenstam's vice-captains for the European team at next year's Solheim Cup.
Matthew has played in the biennial match against the United States eight times, winning 19 points from 33 outings.
The Scot may even get to play in it for a ninth time at Des Moines Golf and Country Club in Iowa in 2017, with a backroom role under Sorenstam not precluding another appearance.
"I will see how I am playing next year, but it's certainly on the agenda," said Matthew, speaking via teleconference as her vice-captaincy was announced ahead of this week's Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at Dundonald Links.
"I would love to be playing and a vice-captain."
Matthew is the first vice-captain to be named by Sorenstam, with whom she played in four European teams and enjoyed a fruitful playing partnership.
Matthew, who could be a contender for the captaincy herself in 2019, said: "I'm very excited. I'm absolutely thrilled.
"Annika has been a good friend of mine since amateur days and I've played with her quite a lot in the Solheim Cup. She's probably the best woman golfer there's ever been and I'm really looking forward to it."
She will turn her attention to it in due course, with Rio now a more immediate concern.
She said: "Getting in the Olympics was a goal of mine and I'm delighted about that. I can't wait to get down there. I'm looking forward to going down there and staying in the village, experiencing the whole thing. It is a fantastic honour."
Source: PA
