Travel
ROYAL & ANCIENT
CASTLES COURSES
Await in the English County of Kent
he strategic location of Kent, south
of London and the county closest to
Europe, has meant that the region
has been a key to the defense of the realm
of England for centuries. As a result Kent is
blessed with an abundance of magnifi cent,
ancient castles, many with royal
associations spread throughout the county.
So for golfers with an interest in England’s
past, Kent is the ideal destination to head
for if you’re looking for a little bit of history
and culture to explore whilst playing some
62 G o l f P l u s
JULY
of the fi nest golf courses that the country
has to offer. Kent is best known for the
string of championship links set on the east
coast overlooking the English Channel. The
jewel in this particular crown is no doubt
Royal St George’s, a classic links with a
fi ne reputation and a distinguished golfi ng
history, having hosted many amateur and
professional tournaments since the 1880s.
Testament to its exceptional quality,
Royal St George’s has hosted The Open
Championship on an impressive 14
2017
occasions, most recently in 2011 when it
was won by Irishman and current Ryder
Cup captain, Darren Clarke. It remains on
the current Open venue roster and will host
this prestigious tournament again in 2020.
Founded in 1887 and laid out by
William Laidlaw Purves, this wild and
windy championship links is considered
one of England’s most picturesque, offering
stunning views over Pegwell Bay and Kent’s
white cliffs. It is deceptively challenging
thanks to its severely undulating fairways,