The 36-year-old Briton arrived early in Brazil to ensure he was part of last Friday's opening ceremony.
With his mother watching on in the crowd, it was an emotional experience for the 2013 US Open champion.
Rose remembers his late father Ken regaling him with tales of a visit to the Games and those stories helped give the golfer a perspective that stretches beyond the confines of his chosen sport.
"I'm sure he would have been very proud to see me walk out," Rose told BBC Sport.
"Walking into the Maracana Stadium in Brazil, there were 105,000 people all cheering and celebrating, all different nations with such a happy vibe in there, it was something I really wanted to make sure I was down here in Brazil for."
Sitting in a Team GB t-shirt and shorts at the British base camp, Rose looks far removed from his usual cosseted surroundings on the PGA Tour and European Tour.
Golf has returned to the Olympics after a 112-year absence and the Englishman is relishing his new, different experience.
"Growing up, you never really thought of golf and Olympic gold in the same sentence," Rose said.
Golf has returned to the Olympics after a 112-year absence and the Englishman is relishing his new, different experience.
"Growing up, you never really thought of golf and Olympic gold in the same sentence," Rose said.
