Well Done Justin Rose on 2016 Olympic Golf Gold Medal

Olympic Champion Justin Rose has been praised for his gold medal performance in Rio by the Golf Foundation, the charity that helps young people to enjoy the benefits of golf and encourages them to ‘Start, Learn and Stay’ in the sport. It is hoped that Rose’s “inspirational” win will attract new golfers from the watching audience for the Olympics.

The Golf Foundation reaches 500,000 young people each year through its HSBC Golf Roots programme in schools, golf clubs and the community. Children from all backgrounds and abilities are introduced to golf as the Foundation supports the national golf development bodies of England, Scotland and Wales. By 2018 the charity is seeking to encourage 50,000 youngsters into a golf club every year, with 15,000 going on to be regular players.

A young Hampshire boy called Justin Rose, aged 11, came fifth in the final of the Golf Foundation Under 13’s Age Group Championship in 1991, and two years later won the Under 14’s Championship outright, at Patshull Park in Shropshire. 

The Golf Foundation funded club coaching which included Justin, and his reward for winning the Under 14’s in 1993 was to be invited to a coaching week at Wentworth in the Spring of 1994, led by then Ryder Cup European Team Captain Bernard Gallacher.

In 1996 Justin earned the Golf Foundation’s ‘Outstanding Achievement Award’ for a period when he was winning many of amateur golf’s prestigious titles against elite adult players. 

Rose has since repaid this early encouragement by supporting the Golf Foundation in return, speaking positively about the charity’s work and appearing as a guest during Foundation activity at major golf events, including taking on the kids by playing the easy-to-learn golf format, Tri-Golf, which is thriving in primary schools up and down the country.

Justin Rose is an ambassador for England Golf and its ‘Get into golf’ campaign. Get into golf – which is supported by Sky Sports – offers new and returning players an ideal way into the game with great value coaching from PGA professionals and an introduction to a sport which offers a good social life and many health benefits.

The Golf Foundation presented its ‘Spirit of Golf’ Award to Justin last year in recognition of the inspirational way in which he plays the game, an accolade previously given to among others, Tom Watson, Gary Player and Tony Jacklin. 

It is hoped that golf in the Olympics will have a positive affect on the sport as a whole. Junior golf enjoyed a boost through the legacy of the 2012 Olympics in London, through the School Games programme in schools, reaching over 5000 junior golfers in the UK.

Everyone at the Stonham Barns Golf is delighted for Justin Rose. The sport of golf couldn’t have had a better ambassador than Justin. He is a fine player, a major champion, and great sportsman who will no doubt inspire many new young people to try golf through his performance and positive attitude in winning gold for Team GB in Rio.

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