Justin Rose steps in to support women’s pro series

Moor Park will host the second event in the new Rose Ladies Series

Justin Rose is to sponsor a new seven-tournament Ladies Series for British women’s professionals in England, starting at Brokenhurst Manor in Hampshire on June 18.

Rose claims he and his wife Kate felt compelled to ‘step up and help’ British women’s golf after learning about the efforts of Ladies European Tour star Liz Young and resident PGA Professional Jason MacNiven to run a ladies’ event at Brockenhurst Manor.

After the one-day tournament at Brokenhurst Manor, the series will move to Moor Park GC (June 25), Buckinghamshire Golf Club (July 2), Royal St George’s (July 9), JCB Golf & Country Club (July 16), and Bearwood Lakes (July 23). The venue for the final event on July 30-31 has yet to be announced. None of the venues are charging a fee to host the tournaments.

“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,” Rose said. “I am sad that the Ladies European Tour has been suffering so badly, and doesn’t really have a start date yet from what I know. To me this seems somewhat unfair, and my wife Kate and I felt there was an opportunity to step up and help.”

He added: “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.”

Rose, who also sponsors the Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship, added: “The prize money is modest because it is me throwing in some money and then the ladies are paying an entry fee, but we wanted to give them the opportunity to play and to be ready for when the opportunities arise later in the summer.”

The Ladies European Tour has recently cancelled the Evian Championship in France, which was due to take place from August 6-9, and details of the rest of the season’s schedule have yet to be announced.