Spence to lead Olympic golf team

Two-time European Tour winner Jamie Spence has been unveiled as Team GB’s ‘Golf Team Leader’ for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The 50-year-old has been picked for the voluntary role by the British Golf Assocaition ahead of golf’s long-awaited return to the Olympic Games for the first time since 1904. He will take charge of a team of male and female British golfers who will go for gold in Brazil.

Spence, who enjoyed a 20-year career on the European Tour highlighted with wins at the Canon European Masters in 1992 and the 2000 Moroccan Open, as well as a 1992 Dunhill Cup team victory with England, said: “I’m honoured to have been chosen for this role. Going to the interview was like the feeling I had being on the first tee of the Open, I still have that same excitement.

“It’s very important that golf is back in the Olympics and our players could make history, as winning an Olympic gold will live with you for the rest of your life. My aim is to go to Rio and help the team win a gold medal.”

“I think my experience of playing tournament golf for 20 years has got to help” – Jamie Spence

He added: added: “I think my experience of playing tournament golf for 20 years has got to help really, as I’m going in to it from a perspective of what would I like, what would I need, going out to an event like the Olympics.

“I’m in contact with a lot of the male players through my current roles. I do know quite a few of the ladies players as well, but maybe not the younger generation, so I’m looking forward to meeting them and going to some of their events.”

Hamish Grey, the Chair for the BGA and Scottish Golf Union CEO, said: “The British Golf Association is delighted to appoint Jamie Spence to this important role.

“He is a hugely experienced individual and his appetite and enthusiasm for the post shone through at the interview stage.

“He possesses proven leadership skills, is a strong communicator and is well organised. We believe Jamie is the perfect figurehead to oversee our build-up towards Rio 2016.”

Spence: The right man for the job?

Is Jamie Spence the right man to lead Team GB’s golfers in Rio? Leave your thoughts in our ‘Comments’ section below.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor