In the last couple of weeks, Golf in Kent has driven into the golfing spotlight once again with the news that Prince’s Golf Club in Sandwich has been chosen as a Final Open Qualifying venue from 2018 until 2021 and that the London Golf Club is to play host to The Brabazon Trophy this June.
As a former host to The Open Championship in 1932 when Gene Sarazen triumphed, Prince’s is looking forward to renewing its association with the prestigious major as a Final Qualifying venue.
The two nines of The Dunes & The Shore will combine to present the potential qualifiers with a testy challenge over a layout that is characterized by revetted bunkers, rolling greens and stiff coastal breezes. The Lodge at Prince’s will also provide a comfortable haven for golfers to stay on site and enjoy the excellent accommodation, local cuisine and superb service.
Meanwhile one of the UK’s most important amateur championships, The Brabazon Trophy, will be played over the Heritage Course, one of the London Golf Club’s two fine championship courses designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus.
Open to amateur male players of all nationalities, this prestigious trophy has in the past been won by the likes of former US Masters champions Sandy Lyle and Charl Schwartzel, course designer Peter McEvoy and Sweden’s Peter Hanson. Host to the 2008 & 2009 European Opens, the Heritage is characterized by daunting approach shots up to fast-rolling greens which will provide the amateurs with a demanding challenge over the four days of the tournament.
Readers may be more familiar with the term ‘Garden of England’ being used to describe Kent, so it may surprise you that it is actually one of the country’s driest counties. No need for wet-weather gear in Kent then … well not as often as other places in England!
Golf in Kent www.golfinkent.co.uk