According to a report in the Telegraph, Justin Rose and his wife Kate are sponsoring a British women’s golf series set to start later this month.
Starting June 18, seven events will comprise the Justin Rose Ladies Series, including a tournament at Royal St George’s Golf Club, the original host site for this year’s Open Championship before it was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Telegraph reports that Rose is contributing £35,000 ($44,329.25) for prize money. All seven courses are hosting the events for free. Fans will not be permitted, but Sky Sports is broadcasting.
Justin and Kate read about the efforts to hold a one-day event, the Women’s Open at Brokenhurst Manor, on June 18. Ladies European Tour player Liz Young and Jason MacNiven, who operates a club-fitting company, started the event but couldn’t get a sponsor or broadcast partner.
“I am keenly aware that I now have the opportunity to go back to work and compete on the PGA Tour but this is not the same for the ladies and some junior tours as well,” said the 2016 Olympic gold medalist and 2013 Open champion.
A former European champion gymnast, Kate added: “It is so important for the visibility of ladies’ golf that they can play at good courses and on TV because they need to be out there to both attract sponsors and keep their current sponsors happy as well as allowing more people to get to know who they are.”
Here’s the schedule of events:
June 18 – Brockenhurst Manor Golf Club
June 25 – Moor Park Golf Club
July 2 – Buckinghamshire Golf Club
July 9 – Royal St George’s
July 16 – JCB Golf and Country Club
July 23 – Bearwood Lakes Golf Club
July 30/31 – Final TBD