At Bay Hill Club and Lodge, golfer Justin Rose makes sure to remove his hat when inside as a nod to the late Arnold Palmer.
Manners and etiquette were important to Palmer.
“Here at Bay Hill,” Rose said, “you are very cognizant of … the little gentlemanly conducts that Arnold lived his life by.”
Giving back was also a way of life for Palmer. There, Rose offers a tip of a cap through charitable works in the city each made a second home.
On Tuesday ahead of this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, Golf Digest presented Rose the Arnie Award for the philanthropic efforts of he and his wife, Kate, in Orlando.
“That was Arnie superpower, and it’s Kate and Justin superpower, too,” said longtime Golf Digest editor Jerry Tarde, the award’s presenter.
The Arnie and Winnie Palmer Foundation and Children’s Hospital, along with the Winnie Palmer Nature Walk at Lake Lorna Doone Park, highlight the family’s massive footprint in the Orlando community.
The Roses’ Blessings, a Backpack program in Central Florida, addresses the nutritional and educational needs of children.
Being a father, Rose has seen hunger impact a child’s focus and conduct.
“If they miss a meal or two, they become an absolute nightmare to deal with,” he joked, before turning serious. “You start to think, OK, [what about] kids who don’t have access to food regularly. Obviously, it impacts their ability to learn and thrive.”
Rose credits his better half for the couple’s good works.
“Kate, she’s been unbelievable,” he said. “She’s always had that vision in her life of giving back.”
Rose said his philanthropic bent is rooted in “gratitude” for the life golf has provided him and his family.
“Been very, very lucky through the sport,” he said.
Rose, 44, continues to enjoy good fortune in a sport increasingly a young man’s game.
Ranked No. 36 in the world, Rose earned a sponsor’s exemption into this week’s 72-player field after he failed to finish in the top 50 of the 2024 FedEx Standings. But Rose has five top-25s in his past 11 starts, including a tie for third in January’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and a runner-up finish during the Open Championship in July at Royal Troon — a validating performance for the native of England.
“It was a big statement of intent, and also belief in myself,” he said. “When things line up nicely and when I do begin to play near my ability, I’m still competitive.”
A commitment has allowed Rose to maintain his speed. Experience, ball striking and ability to find his putter in big moments allow him to rise to the occasion.
Rose is not the player who rose to world No. 1 in 2019, the final season of a 10-year stretch when he won every year and a total of 16 times — along with 16 runner-up finishes.
“I still feel like my game elevates when it matters most, which is really important to know,” he said. “I just have to find just a little bit more consistency.”
Bay Hill will test every facet of Rose’s game, along with his fortitude.
Palmer’s 7,466-yard, par-72 layout has ranked among the PGA Tour’s 10 toughest courses annually since ’19.
“It’s an incredibly tough golf course,” Rose said. “But for a big stature event, the challenge is just right.”
Rose has had his opportunities to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Five top-10 finishes in 10 starts between ’06-18 included a runner-up showing in ’13.
At the time, the Roses were residents of Orlando, where they lived for a decade and had their children Leo and Lottie at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.
The family moved to the Bahamas during the fall of ’14, but have since settled in their native England. Living abroad while playing on Tour is demanding, but Rose remains committed, especially in a Ryder Cup year.
“It takes a lot of sacrifice … a lot more travel, a lot more time away,” he said. “When I was in Orlando, get home on a Sunday night, heading out on a Tuesday morning. Life’s changed. It’s getting harder, not easier.
“But the love for the game is still there.”
For Orlando, too, as the Roses’ passion project and impact continue.
“Orlando has become a very special place for us,” he said. “It wasn’t our home originally, but became our adopted home. Even though we no longer live in Orlando, we also really believe in continuing what we start and continue with the good work.”
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
