Leeds Castle Golf Club, set against the backdrop of one of Kent’s most picturesque castles, has joined the Golf in Kent marketing partnership to further enhance the county as one of England’s finest golfing destinations.
The Golf in Kent (www.golfinkent.co.uk) offering is made up of most of Kent’s most notable golf courses, including three Open Championship courses, two Open Qualifying venues and a European Tour host as well as a range of golf-friendly accommodation providers.
Excellent golfing facilities together with the county’s wealth of off-course activities, its temperate coastal climate and its easy access from Europe and the rest of the world through international airports of London, make Kent a golfer’s paradise.
With the addition of Leeds Castle, the group now boasts another of Kent’s most delightful 9-hole, parkland courses set in rolling countryside against the backdrop of a castle widely-regarded as ‘the loveliest castle in the world’, less than an hour from London.
Originally built on the 500-acre castle estate in 1931 for the owner at the time, The Hon Lady Baillie, Leeds Castle Golf Club recently celebrated its 85th anniversary with a major two-year investment that has thoroughly revitalised the historic course.
The unique character of the course is provided by stunning views of the 900-year old Castle whilst the revised layout has added new vistas. A brand new 6th hole along the moat’s edge and a teasing par 3 8th hole were also installed, whilst the 9th hole was extended to create another par 4.
The course’s tricky fairway undulations and a worrisome water hazard in the form of the castle moat make it a solid test of golf for players of varying standards.
Leeds Castle lines up alongside the Golf in Kent partners that comprise of the county’s Open Championship venues of Royal St George’s, home of 14 Open Championships, Royal Cinque Ports and Prince’s Golf Club as well as the Final Open Qualifying venues of North Foreland and Littlestone and the London Golf Club, host of the Volvo World Match Play Championship in 2014.
Two more courses with castles are also members, namely Lullingstone Park and Hever Castle, whilst Pentland Golf’s Boughton and Etchinghill Golf Clubs and the Tudor Park Marriott also form part of the Golf in Kent group.
Golf in Kent is also supported by accommodation providers Shepherd Neame Coaching Inns & Hotels and Hand Picked Hotels which have two hotels in Kent, Chilston Park and Brandshatch Place Hotel & Spa. There is also accommodation for golfers available at The Lodge at Prince’s, Hever Castle and the Tudor Park Marriott.
Visit Kent also continues its membership of the group, supporting its role to promote the Garden of England to the tourism industry.
Golf in Kent was established following the staging of The Open Championship at Royal St George’s in 2011 in order to build on the legacy of hosting one of golf’s most prestigious tournaments and to continue Kent’s long-term golfing heritage that goes back over 100 years.
Golf in Kent www.golfinkent.co.uk
Leeds Castle www.leedscastlegolf.com