Olympic Legend Dame Denise Lewis on Her Inspiring New Role

Olympic gold medallist, respected broadcaster and President of UK Athletics, Dame Denise Lewis DBE, is a keen golfer who is now combining her competitive spirit with an important new role.

She has joined forces with England Golf to inspire a new generation of golfers and support the launch of a ground-breaking new initiative – ‘Game Changers’.

As an ambassador, she will play a leading role in helping to drive greater visibility, diversity and engagement across the game. The initiative aims to challenge outdated perceptions of the game and highlight its many physical, mental and social benefits.

“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,” said Lewis, who won heptathlon gold at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, and received a damehood in the King’s New Year Honours in 2023.

Since retiring in 2005, she has worked as a television presenter, but stepped away after The Paris 2024 Olympics to become the President of UK Athletics, saying, “It’s time to try and develop and help the sport that’s been so amazing to me – I wouldn’t be in this position had I not dared to dream.”

Anchor Gabby Logan called her a “brilliant person,” and pundit Michael Johnson said she was a “legend”.

Now, as a Game Changer, she is bringing all that experience to golf and hopes to make a real difference by combining her passion for health, sport and social impact with using her influence to break down barriers and ensure that golf is accessible, welcoming, and relevant to people from all backgrounds.

“We need more representation in golf; all the underrepresented groups: disability, women and youth coming through,” said Lewis, who was thrilled to see a fellow “brother” of Wolverhampton, Aaron Rai, become the first Englishman to win the PGA Championship since 1919 earlier this year.

“To know that someone from my area and from my city has come through the ranks to become a major champion is just so fantastic. We talk about Britishness, or Englishness, and to see Aaron come through playing like he did and wearing the flag is incredible, because he’s representative. I just thought it was a great story and I’m delighted for him.”

Rai started golf and grew up playing the game at Three Hammers Golf Complex in Wolverhampton, a national award-winning complex offering a 15-hole Par 3 course, Toptracer driving range and PGA Professional Teaching Academy, which coincidentally is where Lewis’ mother, 70, also recently took up the game and became hooked on golf.

“My mum just came back from a golfing holiday to Greece, and had you asked me ten years ago if she would do something like that, I would have said, not a chance. But it’s a great entry point where golf feels accessible; it feels welcoming, and we need more places like that,” Lewis continued.

The next goal as a Game Changer is to show her golfing journey to her fans on Instagram @RealDeniseLewis and to remain relevant to encourage others.

“I need to try to show people that I’m not the finished article.  I just enjoy it and therefore to say, there is a place for you if you want to play.  I would love to get more of my fellow female athletes playing more golf.  We see a lot of men, like former footballers, cricketers, rugby players and tennis players, all taking part in golf. 

“I’d love to get women to think the same way. Your sporting journey doesn’t have to end when you stop doing your primary sport.  You can pivot and move to something else and get as much pleasure from it.  That’s my aim.  I’d love to get more of my women playing, but that requires time because it is, you know, we are the primary caregivers.  There’s no moving away from that.  And it’s trying to unlock a space where we can get together and really enjoy the game, how we like to play.”

On her own golf and playing in the Women’s English Open Pro-Am on the LET Access Series, she says that her strength is her length off the tee and she’d love to achieve an 18 handicap, by focusing on chipping for more consistent play.

“I’d love to be playing consistently off 18, ideally 16, but 18 would really make me happy,” she said, adding: “I’ve already won a few longest drive competitions, which I don’t want to boast about, but that does make you feel good… especially when you’re in competitions that are primarily with men!”

When asked who would be in her dream fourball, Lewis names Tommy Fleetwood and Tiger Woods, but would really love to see more young black players coming up into the game.

One of her aims is to support and encourage young golfers, especially those facing financial constraints, through mentorship, to help level the playing field and foster talent. She plans to use her networks to help talented players navigate sponsorship and competition choices.

Lewis knows a thing or two about this.  While Jessica Ennis-Hill hails Lewis’s heptathlon gold in 2000 as her career inspiration, Lewis continues to mentor Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Britain’s premier multi-event athlete, celebrated for her prowess on the track and in the field. A four-time Olympian and silver medallist, as well as a two-time Commonwealth champion and two-time World champion, Johnson-Thompson has established herself among the greatest all-round athletes in history and besides her athletic performances, also gives back to underserved communities through her roles with various trusts and charities, so, like Lewis, creates opportunities for positive change.

Opportunities to play in LET Access Series tournaments are potential stepping stones for amateurs and young professional golfers alike as they transition into the next stage of their careers.

There are also several other opportunities for young players to gain competitive experience and access professional events, such as invitation opportunities and Q-School.

Yet while competition, community and club support are vital to building sustainable pathways for talented young golfers, the message that Lewis conveys is simple: black or white, rich or poor, young or old, golf is a game to be enjoyed by all.

She cites the green spaces, fresh air and social interaction as helping to promote health and well-being. Moreover, as a busy mum of four, with a seven-year-old, she also knows a thing or two about work-life balance and prioritising family, work and sport commitments. She recently wrote a book, Adaptability: seven lessons to thrive in a world of competing demands, which is available to buy now, in hardback and paperback.