Royal Cinque Ports © Kevin Murray
THE KENT COAST ’ S TRIO OF OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP VENUES
To have even one Open venue in your region is something that not many places can lay claim to , but to have three is something very special indeed . With The 149th Open Championship heading to the Kent coast this summer as the world ’ s greatest golfers descend on Royal St George ’ s , here we take a look at our region ’ s trio of world-class Open Championship venues .
The Garden of England has long been revered as one of the country ’ s most idyllic and spectacular areas of natural beauty , a county where visitors can enjoy the peace and serenity of the countryside while also savouring gastronomic delights and a vast array of tourist attractions to rival anywhere in the country . A haven of architectural beauty and rich sporting history , the county is rightly regarded as a glittering jewel in Britain ’ s tourism crown - not least the stunning trio of championship links courses along the southeast Kent coastline that help to make our region arguably the UK ’ s premier golf destination . This natural links haven carries a rich history and tradition of quality , having played host to a combined seventeen Open Championships through the years , with an eighteenth now firmly in sight .
From the towering dunes and wild landscape of Royal St George ’ s Golf Club , to the open natural sand scrapes of neighbouring Prince ’ s and undulating topography of Royal Cinque Ports , this majestic stretch of English links has it all . Just 74 miles from London , Kent ’ s three Open venues offer an idyllic golf break and an unforgettable experience across the board , combining everything that any discerning tourist could possibly wish for when planning their next golfing break .
Vast open sand scrape areas , natural wetlands and feature walkways perpetuate the raw , back-to-nature aesthetic while the large , challenging green complexes , strategic bunkering and elevated tee positions ensure a tough , yet rewarding challenge . With stunning panoramas of the English Channel throughout , Prince ’ s presents a welcome break from the hubbub and transports visitors to a tranquil golfing paradise .
Once again , this incredible coastline returns to the global spotlight this summer with Royal St George ’ s hosting The 149th Open Championship . A major part of England ’ s golf heritage , St George ’ s offers a fundamentally traditional experience as well as one of the finest links layouts in the world .
Its 7,204-yard , par-70 links has evolved into a sprawling maze where holes scamper in all directions , evoking the feeling of a wild sense of space . Natural amphitheatres created by the dunes and rugged terrain provide the backdrop for an awe-inspiring test with no two holes alike . The course roams through mammoth dunes , especially the thrilling stretch from four to six , which provides many memorable moments .
Prince ’ s is comprised of three 9-hole loops - The Shore , The Dunes and The Himalayas – that all have their own unique architectural and stylistic characteristics . Recent redevelopment , under the stewardship of renowned golf course architects McKenzie & Ebert , has given the club a modern edge while returning some of the original charm of the pre-war course that hosted the 1932 Open , won by the legendary Gene Sarazen .
Renowned as one of the finest courses in the world , golfers and visitors alike can walk in the footsteps of history and emulate the greats of the game who have hoisted the Claret Jug here .
Just a few kilometres down the coast road in Deal , Royal Cinque Ports , a traditional out-and-back links dating back to 1892 , is of similar calibre .
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