On the eve of the Open Championship, Justin Rose has discussed the significance of his return to Birkdale, alongside the importance of the Kate & Justin Rose Foundation, 28 years after his breakthrough 4th place finish as a 17 year old.
Writing on the social media channels of the Kate & Justin Rose Foundation, Justin reflected on how the game of golf had equipped him with the personal qualities that helped handle the intense pressure following his overnight rise to fame.
He said, “Golf prepared me for that moment in a lot of ways. It teaches you how to handle yourself, how to interact with people from all walks of life, and how to represent yourself with a degree of respect and professionalism. By the time Birkdale came around, I’d spent years around golf clubs, tournaments, officials and fellow competitors, so I had developed social skills to help me cope with the attention that followed.
That said, nothing really prepares a 17-year-old for suddenly being recognised in the street, signing autographs, doing TV interviews and having people talk about you as the next big thing in golf. It all happened very quickly after my finish in The Open that year.
What helped me most was staying grounded. My parents had always instilled values of humility, perspective and respect for others, and those values became really important during that period.
Looking back, golf gave me the confidence and people skills to deal with the spotlight, while my upbringing gave me the perspective to handle it in the right way. It allowed me to enjoy the opportunities that came my way without losing sight of who I was.”
In recent years, Justin and his wife Kate have set up the Kate & Justin Rose Foundation. The Foundation funds organisations across the U.K. who provide opportunities for disadvantaged young people to experience the life-time rewards of golf as a sport. From Dryvebox U.K. who are taking simulator golf experiences into inner city schools, to Sport for All UK who enable children with upper body limb differences to experience golf; providing access and opportunity for young people to benefit from the game is at the heart of everything the Foundation aims to achieve. With a return to Birkdale front of mind, Justin reflected on how 17 year old Justin would feel knowing he’s now funding projects that support youngsters across the UK using the game that has given him so much.
He said, “I think 17-year-old Justin would find it quite hard to believe, to be honest. At that age, I was simply focused on trying to become the best golfer I could be and make my way in the game. I wasn’t really thinking about the impact golf could eventually allow me to have outside of playing.
One of the greatest things golf has given me is opportunity. It has taught me life skills like; confidence, resilience and how to build relationships with people. Through the Foundation, being able to help young people across the UK – particularly those who may never have thought golf was for them – experience those same benefits is incredibly rewarding.
What makes me most proud is seeing children from all walks of life, being given opportunities they might not otherwise have had. If I could tell my 17-year-old self that one day we’d be helping thousands of young people discover the game and everything that comes with it, I’d be amazed.” For more information on all of the projects supported by the Foundation please visit www.justinrose.com/kjr-foundation-uk