MEMBERS at North Hants Golf Club enjoyed the traditional pre-Hampshire Hog dinner last Friday night, and among the guests were Justin Rose’s mum, Annie, and BBC golf commentator Iain Carter.

Former US Open winner Justin was raised in Hook and his family still live there, after moving to England from South Africa. By the age of 14, he was a prominent member of the Hampshire junior and men’s teams, playing off a plus-three handicap.

His stunning victory in the Hog in front of the North Hants members in 1995 made many sit up and take notice, but was no real surprise to those who knew him.

Proud mum Annie said: “Winning the Hog was such an important step in Justin’s golf career, and one he is still very proud of today.

“It was the start of a remarkable rise. Justin was the youngest ever player picked for Great Britain and Ireland in the Walker Cup. But it all started here.”

After moving to the United States in 2004, his career scaled the heights, with wins in the Ryder Cup and the US Open at Merion in 2013.

When this year’s Hog action got under way on Sunday, it was 20-year-old Matthew Jordan, from Royal Liverpool, who was left holding the famous silver trophy once clutched by Justin.

Jordan, playing in only his second full season on the amateur circuit, was oblivious to the tournament’s history until he was finally told his five-under-par total was four shots better than his three nearest rivals.

After being shown the famous names already adorning the trophy, including Rose and fellow Ryder Cup stars Sandy Lyle, Steve Richardson and Gordon Brand Jnr, Matthew said: “If I can follow in the footsteps of some of those who have won this trophy before I’ll be pretty happy.”