Newly crowned US Open Champion Justin Rose made a surprise appearance at Goodwood’s first Golf Academy Open Day last weekend delighting many of his young fans who were thrilled to see their golfing idol.
The World No. 3 golfer and Goodwood’s golf ambassador joined the PGA coaching team for the event to give more than 12 families including 23 children a truly memorable day at the award winning West Sussex venue.
Justin was taking a well earned break with his young family at Goodwood before he bids for his second major title of the year early next month at the US PGA Championship in New York. This season he has been providing invaluable help to the Estate’s golfing team promoting its junior program and the inspiration for new golfing stars to emerge throughout the UK.
“Goodwood is a wonderful environment in which to play golf. The setting is inspirational. The attitude of the club to cultivate juniors and create a centre of excellence as the future of the club is a great way of developing some wonderful talent in the South of England” said Justin.
Twenty three children aged from 4-12 years old took part in the one day event designed to encourage youngsters into the sport. Led by Academy Manager Ryan Fenwick the day featured a series of activities including Tri Golf using extra light clubs and balls making it ideal for very young children, putting, chipping, tutored coaching session and family competitions. Each child received a certificate of participation and 7 prizes were awarded for the winners of each activity and there was a star prize of a Goodwood Flag signed by Justin Rose.
Also on hand to help throughout the day was Sussex Captain Elodie Yates and Goodwood’s Amber Cockram who both compete with more than 100 girls to win the English Girls Amateur Championship in Somerset later this week.
Matthew Callow whose son Harry took part in the day was impressed with the event and commented: “No where else would you find an event for juniors like this one it seems to be that whatever Goodwood does for juniors they do it well. It is fantastic that there is a club that has the ‘guts’ to risk such an investment into Junior golf, and today is proof that they are starting to build on those fundamentals that have been created in the last year or so”.
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