Notebook: Justin Rose moves family to the Bahamas, at least for now

SHANGHAI – Justin Rose of England has returned to living under the realm of Queen Elizabeth II. 

 

Only the weather is a lot nicer. 

 

Rose has moved his family from Florida to the Bahamas, where he has owned property at Albany the last few years. They moved right after the British Open and have made that their permanent residence. At least for now. 

 

"We're having a great time," Rose said. "We had a place there for two or three years, and obviously over time we developed a lot of friendships. With the facilities they've created for us, I have the opportunity to practice and be the best player I want to be and spend time with my family. There are a few more natural hobbies than I had in Orlando, fun things to do to get away from golf. I thought it would be good to have a nice, healthy place to be and spend time with the kids." 

 

His oldest child, Leo, has already started kindergarten. 

 

How long this lasts is still to be determined. Rose said he has not sold his home at Lake Nona until he is certain this is the right move. 

 

"We've taken a leap of faith, but we're not all in. We're kind of hedging," he said. 

 

Rose said travel is not an issue. He flies private about 80 percent of the time, and there are enough direct flights out of the Bahamas to the right cities to make travel easy. 

 

And he won't have to travel far to play in the Hero World Challenge that Tiger Woods hosts. Woods also has a place in Albany, and his December tournament is expected to move there in 2015. 

 

"Are you kidding? It's right on my doorstep," Rose said. "Sign me up now." 

 

OCHOA'S TIME: Perhaps one of the few good things that came out of the World Hall of Fame revamping its process is that it clears a path for Lorena Ochoa. 

 

The Mexican star stunned the golf world in April 2010 when she announced her retirement at age 28. Ochoa had more than the required 27 points to qualify for the Hall of Fame, but she was lacking the minimum 10 years on the LPGA Tour. Ochoa walked away from golf after eight years. 

 

Now that's no longer necessary. 

 

Under the new criteria, female candidates must be at least 40 years old at the start of the year she is elected or at least five years removed from the game. 

 

LPGA Tour Commissioner Mike Whan said in an email that Ochoa will be eligible for the 2017 class. 

 

Then it would be up to a subcommittee to nominate her, and for 12 of the 16 people on the selection committee to vote for her. 

 

DIVOTS: Rickie Fowler, who has been a member at Medalist, recently joined the Bear's Club, both in Jupiter, Florida. "Just to be able to play both places," he said. "There are good games at both places. The Bear's Club has a little better practice facilities."... Aberdeen Asset Management and the Scottish government have agreed to extend their sponsorship and support of the Scottish Open through 2020. It is being held next year at Gullane. ... Daric Ashford has been appointed president of Nike Golf, replacing Cindy Davis. Daric has been at Nike for 21 years, most recently as vice president and general manager of Jordan Brand for North America. ... John Daly will host a six-part series on SiriusXM PGA Tour radio this December called, "Hit It Hard with John Daly." 

 

STAT OF THE WEEK: Tim Clark has had at least one runner-up finish every season since 2004. 

 

FINAL WORD: "No. Me? Are you kidding? No. That is not happening. Because ... that's not happening. It would not be good." – Ian Poulter, on whether he would ever agree to wear a microphone on the golf course.