No, I would not cut it down. Gold Medal wants to be a very tall rose.
It's wonderful that it is starting right off with a cane of mature size.
Sometimes you just need to have a bit of patience with a plant during its awkward growing time.
Think of it as a gawky adolescent. :-)
It will be beautiful in no time.

Jeri

Thank you Jen:)

I totally agree, the less Gold Medal is pruned the more blooms you will get. Gold Medal will get to eight feet tall just so you know.

Lance

In the meantime, just pretend you have a tall plant growing next to a shorter plant--not that you have one gawky plant.

You're going to love this rose--one of my favorites.

Kate

I would deadhead down to a strong shoot and stake the cane. It is probably going to flop when the other flowers start opening. I would also cut two or three long-stemmed buds from the upper part when they are ready to open, to cut down on the top-heaviness of the structure.

Thanks everyone!

Went out this morning and looked at the cane from the opposite side and sure enough more buds are forming.

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Will hold off on any harsh cutting for now but am going to stake it today, the cane is good and thick, don't want it snapping against any pressure.

BTW, I only have 2 in ground roses so can baby it no problem...lol

Thanks everyone for your suggestions:)

I really can't let this grow 8 feet but 6 will be fine, just want to try to keep it somewhat even. I know many of you said to just let it go but I did take off the top flower today, cut above the next bud, was 9 inches. It'll have lots of blooms in afew days, I know it didn't do any harm:)Thanks again. BTW,9 inches is nothing, the cane is really close to 5 feet already and the others are fgrowing by the minute to catch up, it seems...

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I forgot to mention that Gold Medal is a fuller looking bush than most grandiflora or hybrid teas. It will eventually get the naked legs look so plant something smaller in front.

Lance

Thank you Lance:)

I thought Gold Medal was a "gold" rose - not a pink one???? :)

Carol

Well, a great many yello/golden roses "pink" as they fade.
That's my objection to ORANGE roses -- they seem (to me) to age the color of a worn-out football.
I hope Evie will tell us that it was a lovely yaller when it was fresh. :-)

Jeri

It changes Carol:)

Here's a couple pics I took a few weeks ago...

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You might want to check this link out:)

Here is a link that might be useful: Gold Medal Pics

Gee that's interesting! I had no idea that Gold Medal has so many "personalities." Thanks!

Carol

Carol, I didn't either but am pleased it does:) Double Delight is my second in ground rose, color magic may be the next HT...lol

My goodness, I don't recall GM ever being that pink when I grew it up north so I was about to ask you if your rose was indeed GM. ;-)

BTW, do you spray it regularly with fungicides? Your rose looks very clean. I've been hestitating about getting it here in Florida because I'd rather not spray (which is the reason why I'm only growing teas and chinas here, for now...).

Thanks Peggy:)

I sprayed it once recently with dithane for blackspot after I stupidly watered it from above but for the most part, it's been pretty disease resistant.