The 50-year-old, who earned his two Tour wins at Canon European Masters in 1992 and Moroccan Open in 2000, was selected to the voluntary role by the British Golf Association (BGA) in preparation for golf's return to the Olympic programme for the first time since 1904.

"I'm honoured to have been chosen for this role," he said.

"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."

Jamie Spence won the Moroccan Open in 2000, one of two European Tour titles he claimed in his 20-year career ©Getty Images



Spence, who enjoyed a 20-year career on the European circuit, was part of the backroom team for their last two Ryder Cup victories at Celtic Manor and Medinah, assisting with clothing, hotel rooms and team room set-up, as well as motivational work.

He was the chairman of the Players' Tournament Committee on The European Tour for three years and is currently director of player relations, shadowing present chairman Thomas Bjorn.

"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," he said.

"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."

"To be in the background of Europe's last two Ryder Cup wins was a great experience.

"The organisational work involved is considerable and to be that close to the action was something you can't buy."

Spence will be reporting directly to the BGA Board and the British Olympic Association (BOA) during his time in the new role with the chairman for the BGA, Hamish Grey, optimistic about Britain's chances at Rio with Spence at the helm.

"The British Golf Association is delighted to appoint Jamie to this important role," he said.

"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."

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy has yet to decide whether to represent Great Britain or the all-Ireland set up at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games ©Getty Images


Darryl Seibel, director of communications at BOA added: "It's an exciting time for golf as it makes its return to the Olympic programme.

"We know competition in Rio for both the men's side and the women's side will be closely watched and we look forward to taking a strong British team to the Games."

The selection criteria for the golf event remains to be finalised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), however, it is expected to be based on the world rankings in the lead-up to Rio 2016, with a maximum of four male and female players per country.

It is still unclear whether Northern Irish golfers Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell will represent Britain or Ireland at the Games.

However, McDowell's decision to represent Ireland at the 2013 World Cup of Golf in Melbourne may have hinted at his intent to represent the Irish contingent, with by-law two of rule 41 of the Olympic Charter stating if an athlete has represented a country in a tournament recognised by the relevant international federation, then three years must pass before they can represent another at an Olympic Games.

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