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Royal St George's to host first professional women's tournament in Rose Ladies Series

A general view of the Sixth Green during the first practice round during The Open Championship, at Royal St. George's  - Getty Images
A general view of the Sixth Green during the first practice round during The Open Championship, at Royal St. George's - Getty Images
Women's Sport Social Embed
Women's Sport Social Embed

Kate Rose has revealed how a family connection enabled her to arrange the first professional female tournament ever to be hosted at Royal St George’s. And it was not the person many will expect it to be.

The fourth event of the Rose Ladies Series takes place at the famous links on Thursday, with the likes of Charley Hull, Georgia Hall and Dame Laura Davies competing. It will be a remarkable scenario in many respects and not just because the Kent club only allowed women to join as members five years ago.

This would have been the day when the final part of the main grandstand would have been erected around the 18th for the Open Championship, that was due to take place next week. But then came the postponement after Covid19. 

“It is a bit bizarre because I thought I’d be competing at Royal St George’s in July, not hosting a women’s event there,” Justin Rose said. “But it’s a wonderful opportunity for the players in the series and is great to see. We are proud of our involvement.”

Rose and his wife stepped up last month when it became obvious that because of the pandemic there would be limited playing opportunities for Britain’s female pros. The pair put up £35,000 of their own money and their high-profile impact encouraged sponsors such as American Golf and Computacenter to jump aboard, making the mini-circuit even more attractive.

However, there is a chance that the work the Roses put in - along with their manager, Paul McDonnell at Excel Sports - could be overlooked and as Royal St George’s surprise inclusion shows, this should not be the case.

“We were brainstorming those very early days of coming up with the idea of a series and where we might be able to host and where would be really aspirational,” Kate said. “And I talked to my dad, Peter {Phillips] about it along with my stepmother, Mefo.

“I said Royal St George’s would be incredible, because the boys aren’t playing there this year and what a shame that is. Mefo reminded me that she used to work with one of the committee members there and put me in touch.

“Straight away, the club was really enthusiastic, they loved the concept. Last week we went there to meet Tim [Checketts, the club secretary], as well as someone from the R&A and it’s going to be amazing. And my dad and stepmom will be there as volunteers to help it run as smoothly as the first three events.”