Women’s professional golf is set to make a return in the UK this month with the Rose Ladies Series, starting on June 18.
Sponsored and organised by Justin Rose and his wife Kate, there are currently six confirmed one-day events in the mini-series which will take place in consecutive weeks, and a final venue to be confirmed at the end of July.
The Rose Ladies Series Schedule
- 18th June – Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club
- 25th June – Moor Park Golf Club
- 2nd July – Buckinghamshire Golf Club
- 9th July – Royal St George’s
- 16th July – JCB Golf & Country Club
- 23rd July – Bearwood Lakes Golf Club
- 30/31st July – Final TBC
The Roses were inspired after reading about LET professional Liz Young’s efforts to put on a competition at her home club in the New Forest, which she hoped would enable local players to stay competitive.
In response, Rose said he and his wife Kate felt there ‘was an opportunity for us to help’ provide a platform for female professionals to get back to work, which has resulted in their support of this new mini-series ahead of the LET’s return to golf in August.
Sky TV will provide coverage of the events, and Rose is hopeful this will help exposure for the women’s game.
Rose said: “Professional sports people are not machines – we cannot just power on and go. We have to nurture our skills in order to rely on them when needed; usually under pressure.
“My wife and I felt it was an opportunity for us to help where we can. We are therefore delighted to say that we will be supporting a mini-series for ladies to take place in June and July. This will comprise a number of one-day events at some of the top courses in England. The prize money will be modest but we hope that the series will give our talented lady golfers the opportunity to showcase their skills. Sky TV have agreed to provide a package for viewers and the Sunday Telegraph will ensure the events are well reported.
“Needless to say, Kate and I are immensely grateful to the host clubs for making their courses available to us, and for the enthusiastic support of all those behind the scenes who make the tournaments run smoothly.
“Golf is a sport that is able to be played while socially distancing and hopefully the television coverage of the ladies competing can inspire more women and families in England to go out and try and play. It can be so beneficial for mental health to be out in the fresh air and get some space, especially in these challenging times.
“In particular, we are also grateful for the support and encouragement of the more established lady professional golfers for supporting this event. Through their participation they will encourage support for their sport and show the flame for ladies’ golf will not be easily extinguished
“Golf has given me so much. As most of my followers know, I had my struggles early in my career, but at least I did not have to face a pandemic! I was still able to play. To be denied the opportunity to work or to play for months on end is very challenging, both physically and mentally. And that is why Kate and I feel it is so important that we want to try to do something about it.”
“It would be fantastic if anybody else with the influence and opportunity could push for and promote something similar in their countries because there are so many talented ladies across the continent and world who are in limbo"
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph ahead of his own return to professional golf on the PGA Tour this week, Rose added that he hopes other professionals will follow his lead in helping the female game.
“I am keenly aware that while I am about to step back into my role at the PGA Tour for business as usual, some other areas of the game are not having such an easy time,” Rose said.
“It is self-perpetuating, even in the men’s game, the guys who get promoted, there is a lot of media attention on them and it perpetuates their brand, their endorsement income, and their opportunities. Unless we start to speak up things won’t change.
“It would be fantastic if anybody else with the influence and opportunity could push for and promote something similar in their countries because there are so many talented ladies across the continent and world who are in limbo.”
Liz Young, who came up with the original idea, said that Justin and Kate’s involvement has been a ‘dream come true’.
She said: “This all started with an idea that myself and Jason had. We went to the club with it and we had great support from them. We had a vision from the start, get women competing again, increase the profile and visibility of women’s professional golf and inspire the next generation. Hopefully the players would embrace the chance to play, see that it could be done and maybe take it to their clubs
“Thanks to Justin, Kate and his team, our dream has come true… in a week! I can’t thank Justin and Kate enough for coming onboard, creating opportunities and increasing the visibility for professional women golfers.
“I would also like to thank the Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club members. Their encouragement and support has been amazing from the start and I’m sure that with the news of Justin and Kate being involved, they will be as excited as I am. It makes me so proud to be a member of BMGC.”
