Andy Devaney
If you thought Dame Denise Lewis had hung up her spikes for good, think again. The Olympic gold medallist and all-round national treasure has just teed off on a brand-new role as Ambassador for England Golf. And let’s be honest—when Dame Denise Lewis decides to back your sport, you know you’re onto a winner.
This appointment isn’t just a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and polite applause. Lewis, a respected broadcaster and tireless advocate for health and wellbeing, has been brought in to spearhead Game Changers—England Golf’s bold new initiative designed to shake the mothballs off the sport’s reputation and prove, once and for all, that golf isn’t just a pastime for middle-aged blokes in Pringle sweaters.
“I’m thrilled to be joining England Golf as an Ambassador,” said Dame Denise Lewis. “Golf has so much to offer—from its positive impact on wellbeing to its ability to bring people together. I’m excited to help open the sport up to new audiences and share the message that golf truly is a game for everyone.”
Changing the Game
The Game Changers programme is part of England Golf’s strategic vision for 2025–2030, a roadmap that reads like a mission statement for the modern era. The idea? Rally together influential figures who can champion golf as a safe, inclusive, sustainable, and—dare we say it—inspirational sport.
For too long, golf has been saddled with outdated perceptions: elitist, exclusive, and about as diverse as a bag of golf tees. Lewis’ arrival aims to blast those clichés out of the bunker. Her passion for sport and social impact aligns perfectly with England Golf’s push to make the game more welcoming, accessible, and relevant to people from every walk of life.
A Strong Partnership
England Golf Chief Executive Jeremy Tomlinson put it simply: “We are honoured to have Dame Denise on board as an Ambassador. Her incredible career, authenticity, and commitment to making a difference, make her a perfect fit for our new Game Changers programme. Together, we hope to inspire more people to pick up a club, enjoy the game, and see that golf really is for everyone.”
And Denise won’t be alone on this fairway revolution. She’ll be joined by a carefully selected cast of fellow Game Changers—individuals chosen not just for their profile, but for their values and influence.
Together, they’ll be rolling up their sleeves (and hopefully rolling in some putts) to support key England Golf programmes and inspire future generations to give the sport a swing.
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t about turning the game upside down—it’s about widening the tee box. Golf has long been praised for its health benefits, both mental and physical, but getting that message across has been about as effective as shouting “Fore!” in a thunderstorm. With Dame Denise Lewis now in the mix, expect to see the sport reaching audiences who never thought of golf as their game.
And if you still think golf is just about old men muttering at clouds? Dame Denise Lewis is here to prove you dead wrong.