We meet Kate Rose - the better half of golf's favourite couple

 Image: Getty Images

Since the launch of the Rose Ladies Series, Kate and Justin Rose have firmly cemented themselves as golf's ultimate power couple.

Sponsoring the Rose Ladies Series has prompted a fresh surge in support for the ladies' game and given the players a new chance to shine, so when we spotted Kate Rose at the inaugural event at Brokenhurst Manor, we jumped at the chance to corner her for a chat (in a very friendly and socially distanced manner of course).

Polite, kind, modest and softly spoken, she's definitely our new role model.

Although at the time of our interview we're only part way through the first event, it's already clear that it's been an enormous success, with every player evidently thrilled to be back competing.

"It's important that the women get to play and Justin understands that being a player himself," she said.

"You can get a bit rusty because no matter how hard you work by yourself you can't replace the experience of being in a competition, the nerves and seeing how you can rank against your peers.

"We wanted to create an opportunity for the players to get rid of the dust and the cobwebs. So when the actual tour starts up again they are ready to go and perform at their best.

"We want to provide a platform for the ladies; let people get to know their faces and their stories so they can grow as players and attract more business and sponsors."

This fairytale-like story began when Kate read that LET player Liz Young and the head pro at Brokenhurst Manor were planning to host a ladies' open. She and her husband then decided to sponsor the event and expand it into a 10-date series.

Kate described it as being quite a whirlwind, with less than two weeks between coming up with the initial idea and hosting the first tournament.

"There has been so much enthusiasm and everyone wants to get behind it; from the golf courses to all the other sponsors who've jumped on it. It's been great. There was a need and a little bit of a gap and we sort of helped start filling it," she said.

"When I read about Liz's idea to host a ladies' open here I thought it was great. We talked it over on the phone and I suggested that as there was still weeks to go before they could play again, why should it just be a day thing? I said that we could help and we were happy to commit to continuing it."

The team have managed to secure some amazing venues for the series, including prestigious tracks like Royal St. George's and Wentworth West Course.

"To be honest I thought that some golf courses would enjoy the opportunity to show that they were supporting equal opportunities," she admitted.

"Plus, with Royal St. George's not being able to host the Open it's really devastating to have a course in such great condition that isn't able to showcase itself. I was really excited that they were so keen on the idea."

But the question of whether the series will become a yearly event in something they are yet to think about.

"We've ran along with the momentum so far," she admitted.

"Next year hopefully the ladies' tour will be up and running as usual and there won't be COVID-19 and it won't be so needed. But if it is we can reassess then."

Personally, we're hopeful that their gesture will encourage other male players to speak out in support of the women's game. However, while Kate agreed it would be brilliant if it did, she noted that it wasn't their main motivation.

"If other players want to do the same then great, but it's not something we were trying to influence others to do as well," she said.

"We don't have any expectations but who knows. You don't know where things are going to go. I'm sure Liz didn't expect her idea to turn into an eight-week series with an order of Merit when she first planned her event.

"I've just always said that if you don't like what you see then try and do something about it. That's what we did here, we just wanted to help our country's female players whilst they couldn't travel or compete."

She continued to say that if the tournaments encourage more women to take up the game, then that is an added bonus too.

"Justin reaching out shows that male and female players can work together, that the men do want the women around in golf. Perhaps some do still think it's a boys sport, so it's so important for women at home to see other women on TV playing golf. Ladies need to see it on the TV first for them to think 'oh that looks fun I could have a go at that'."

Although she admits she doesn't play golf at the moment (we've told her we'll be trying to change her mind), Kate did used to play as a way of helping her navigate the business world.

"Women should realise that golf isn't just a game, it's also a tool for business. You don't have to be at any certain level and nobody really cares if you don't play well."

"If we can get people to go out there and have a go that will be a huge extra benefit of what we have tried to do here."

Finally, she explains that being married to a golfer doesn't mean that their lives revolve around the game.

"Whenever Justin has a week off, playing golf isn't exactly the most relaxing thing for him. We'd rather play tennis or we've got a lot of things we'd like to do.

"I used to play before I met him and I always said that when my children were old enough to play then I would start again so I wasn't left out. I think we're getting to that stage now but I've resisted so far!"

Kate plans on attending every event in the series that she can (basically whenever she's not abroad) and we look forward to seeing her cheering on the players again next time.

For more about the Rose Ladies Series visit @RoseLadiesGolf.

Amy Bouldon ties for 11th place on the 2020protour - READ MORE