Justin Rose has announced that he is to sponsor this year's Telegraph Junior Golf Championship, with the finals to be held at the exclusive Quinta do Lago resort in Portugal in November.
Regarded as the unofficial ‘major’ of junior golf, the 54-hole stroke play event will see 24 finalists – 12 boys and 12 girls – compete at the award-winning Algarve venue from November 10-15 for the opportunity to join an illustrious list of previous winners.
World number two Rose won the prestigious event back in 1997, while the roll of honour also includes the likes of Ryder Cup colleagues Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick, as well as Ladies European Tour stars Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Melissa Reid.
Rose said: “I am delighted to announce my sponsorship of the Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship, a tournament close to my heart since I won the title back in 1997.
“It's great to be involved in the championship and to have the opportunity to encourage and grow junior grass-roots golf. I can't wait to see some of this year's talent and good luck to everyone taking part!”
The Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship is open to any juniors aged under-18 at midnight on January 1, 2019, and the finals – which will be televised by Sky Sports – will be returning to Quinta do Lago for the fifth time in the last six years.
Qualification for the competition, which is supported by the R&A, European Tour and England Golf, is now open and details on how to enter or how clubs can get involved can be found at www.telegraph.co.uk/juniorgolf.
Adam Sills, head of sport at The Telegraph, said: “It’s great to have a player of Justin’s calibre backing this year’s championship. As a former winner who has gone on to be a world number one, he will provide plenty of inspiration for all this year’s junior competitors. I’m looking forward to another great championship in Portugal.”
Sean Moriarty, CEO at Quinta do Lago, added: “We are very proud to be hosting the Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship at Quinta do Lago this year. Golf has always been at the heart of the resort and it is fantastic to be growing the next generation of champions as part of our legacy.
“Justin is a former winner of the event and went on to become the world number one. The tournament will be a great opportunity to inspire and educate young people, as well as a fantastic event for the whole family to enjoy. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Quinta do Lago and wish all the young hopefuls the very best in the tournament.”
Located just 15 minutes away from Faro airport, Quinta do Lago is renowned among Europe’s elite golf, sports and family destinations and, with a combination of world-class golf and lifestyle facilities, is the perfect choice for a sporting break.
As well as three 18-hole championship golf courses – the North, South and Laranjal – and outstanding practice facilities, guests can stay in shape at the state-of-the-art performance centre The Campus, a world-class sports hub designed for professionals and amateurs alike to keep fit.
Complementing the golf facilities is a choice of 13 first-class bars and restaurants that deliver a range of delicious world cuisines – including the acclaimed Bovino Steakhouse and recently-opened Dano’s Sports Bar & Restaurant – with accommodation on offer at the resort’s recently-acquired boutique Magnolia Hotel.