Justin Rose on why he’s so proud of the Junior Golf Championship

The dust has now settled on the 2022 edition of the Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship and I am delighted to say what a huge success it was yet again.

We had nearly 18,000 golfers enter qualifiers at 650 golf clubs across the UK and the standard of play was incredible, as evidenced in our finalists across the boys’ and girls’ competitions.

Sophia Fullbrook and Dylan Shaw-Radford were our worthy champions, but everyone who played their part in this year’s event is a winner in my eyes, from competitors to event organizers and officials and all the staff at Quinta do Lago.

There are so many things that make this championship so special for young golfers, but here I have selected a handful:

A week away with your fellow competitors

It allows players to spend the whole week together – on and off the course. Playing tournaments back home, competitors often arrive, play their game and leave. Here, they fly out together, practice, eat and socialize together in the evenings and then compete against each other. Players often say how they knew of their rival players going into the championship, but emerge after it having really got to know them, and making firm friends
for life. Having heard anecdotal evidence, the same was certainly true this year.

The wonderful hospitality at Quinta do Lago

Players stay in their own rooms at the Magnolia Hotel at host resort Quinta do Lago. While a few have experienced ‘life on tour’, it gives them all a flavor for what to expect if they become professional.

Playing the course

Without a doubt, the highlight for all the players is actually playing the golf – after all, it’s what they came for. And the South Course at Quinta, which hosted the finals this year, has never been in better shape. Benefitting from a £6 million overhaul last year, it provided the perfect challenge for our finalists.

The dinners!

All players need a decent feed after a hard day on the course and Quinta doesn’t disappoint there either. The welcome dinner always has the buzz of anticipation around it and the championship dinner on the last night is a very special occasion and a moment to honor all those who have played their part in the tournament.

Media training

Another amazing offering for the week is bespoke media training for all the players. The Telegraph’s golf correspondent, James Corrigan, was at Quinta, offering his insights and gathering player interviews as the week progressed, while our host broadcaster Sky Sports not only filmed all the key action, but also provided a masterclass in how to speak – and not to speak – to the media. It is such a key skill for a young golfer to learn and it is so gratifying to see that part of the job taken seriously at this early stage in their careers.

The net winners’ experience

One of the things I am most proud of at the championship is the chance we give to higher-handicap golfers to come and experience what it’s all about. We now select six players (three boys and three girls) who enjoyed successful qualifying competitions playing off their handicaps. It was a pleasure to see Alice Taylor, Amelie Browne, Maisie Dezis, Jack Manders, Conor Storey-Rogers and James Bowler fly out to Quinta to enjoy a couple of days’ playing and coaching from the top team at the club.

Names in lights

And finally, it’s worth listing the leaderboards from this year’s championship one more time as I am sure there are names you will be seeing again on the circuit in the near future.

Watch highlights of the Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship on Sky Sports Golf this week:
Tues Nov 22 6pm, 8.30pm
Thurs Nov 24 9.30am
Sat Nov 26 10pm