Rose’s gold proved golf has its place at Olympics
With the men’s event due to have been completed early this morning, it’s time for the ladies to take centre stage in the Olympic golf tournament.
Having returned to the Games in Rio in 2016 after a 112-year absence, the noble game is enjoying being part of the Olympic family.
For some, seeing multimillionaires, like Rory Mcilroy, sharing a platform with athletes, swimmers and cyclists will never sit right. But Jamie Spence isn’t one of them.
The former European Tour player led Team GB’S golfers in Rio, and encountered plenty of difficulties along the way.
Many leading players chose to skip the event – including Mcilroy and Jordan Spieth – over concerns surrounding Zika virus.
But despite the negative build-up, Justin Rose swept many of the doubts away as he held off then Open Champion, Henrik Stenson, to secure the gold medal for Great Britain on the 72nd hole.
And Spence recognises what the power of Justin’s win has done for the game.
“There was a lot of scepticism from outside the sport – and even some from inside it,” Spence (inset) told The Sunday Post.
“Not from Justin. He had bought in straight away to being in the Olympics, the same as Danny Willett – who at that point was the Masters Champion – and our ladies, Catriona Matthew and Charley Hull.
“It was quite an onerous process, and there were a lot of things to sort out. Plus, it gatecrashes the middle of the season, so that is a big ask. “It was also hard trying to get funding for things like support staff, but Justin funded himself to go to Rio, at considerable expense. “It was special to see the work he and his caddie, Mark Fulcher, put in all the way through, and it was a brilliant performance from Justin. “I was thrilled for ‘Fooch’ as he’s an old pal. He caddied for me, and we used to go watch Arsenal together.
“For Justin to have been announced as the Olympic Champion at every tournament for the last five years has made others very jealous.
“I was at events after Rio where he was playing, and he had the gold medal in his bag. Everyone was desperate to see it. “People were not like that after he had won the US Open. “There is something pure about the Olympics.
You are playing for yourself, your family and your country.
“It’s like going back to your amateur days and it’s wonderful.”
Some of the top male players again decided to miss the Games.
Dustin Johnson announced early on that he was not going to Tokyo, while Tyrrell Hatton and Matt Fitzpatrick both turned down the chance to represent Team GB.
But Paul Casey and Tommy Fleetwood were quick to show their immense pride at wearing their Olympic colours.
“Rory Sabbatini changed nationalities from South Africa to Slovakia to be able to compete in the Olympics,” said Spence, who will be cheering on Mel Reid and Jodi Ewart Shadoff in the women’s event, beginning on Wednesday.
“Rickie Fowler has the Olympic rings tattooed on his arm, while Patrick Reed got a late call to replace Bryson Dechambeau (due to Covid), and had no hesitation about flying to Tokyo.
“Because the field is limited to 60, it makes it special if you qualify.
“The top players in the world now all fit the Olympic ideal. They are all athletes, and tick all the boxes.
“You need athleticism, touch, poise, mental strength and there is no hiding place out there.
“It’s a clean sport. It’s very safe, and you can play from a young age to almost your last moments.”
Spence’s only gripe is seeing the event being staged at the exclusive Kasumigaseki Country Club.
“It should not be going to country clubs just for wealthy people,” he argued. “Let’s take it to the local municipal down the road!
“You want people watching at home to have the chance to play on, and be welcomed at, the course where the gold medal is won.
“Luckily, Le Golf National in Paris – where the 2018 Ryder Cup was held – is a public course. That would work well for the 2024 Games.”