Justin Rose: Gold will help England Golf inspire players

Tour

Aug 15, 2016

Organisation hopes for boom after ambassador takes glory in Rio

Olympic golf champion Justin Rose hopes his victory will inspire people to take up the sport.

Rose, an England Golf ambassador, birdied the last to beat Henrik Stenson by two shots in Rio and become the game’s first gold medal winner for 112 years.

England Golf chief executive Nick Pink says the organisation stands ready to help anyone who wants to take up the game.

Rose, who won the US Open in 2013, said: “I hope my win and the Olympics inspires people to get into golf. It truly is a sport for everyone, whatever your age or ability.

“Back at home England Golf, who supported me as I developed as a golfer, are working with clubs to encourage participation with beginner courses, taster lessons and special events and break down perceived barriers to playing.”

England’s Rose

As an amateur Rose was an England international and a top boy player, winning the U16 and U18 McGregor and Carris Trophies.

He added: “Golf is a game for everyone and I think that the Olympics will help make that point by getting more and more people playing.”

England Golf are hoping the game will grow rapidly after Rose’s success. More than a million adults already play at least once a month.

Pink added: “Justin’s wonderful win is a fantastic result both for him and for golf.

“I am certain it will inspire thousands of people to set out to follow in his footsteps and enjoy the great game of golf – and we are ready to help guide them on their way.”

He added: “Everyone can play golf, there are no age limits and your ability doesn’t matter – golf has a handicapping system which irons out the differences between players and means everyone can play with each other.

Rose

“Golf clubs and driving ranges everywhere are working incredibly hard to attract people to the game and all it has to offer.

“It’s an excellent game to play with family and friends because there’s plenty of time for conversation on the course and a really good social life in the clubhouse”

England Golf’s Get Into Golf campaign offers beginner courses and taster sessions at clubs and ranges nationwide.

Golf Express highlights clubs offering 9-hole deals for those who don’t have the time for a full round.

Visit www.getintogolf.org and www.golfexpress9.org for more details.

Steve Carroll

A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.

Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.

A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.

Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.

Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.

What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.