insideKENT Magazine Issue 49 - April 2016 | Page 76

GOLF Kent: A Golfer’s Paradise CONT. North Foreland St Augustine’s Golf Club North Foreland is coastal golf at its very best. North Foreland Golf Club, with its superb cliff-top chalk downland course, offers seaside golf at its best – with stunning panoramic views from every tee and every green. St. Augustine's Golf Club is a private members club that prides itself on having the reputation of being a very warm and welcoming club to both guests and visitors alike. Situated in the Pegwell Bay area of The Isle of Thanet, the Club was established in 1908. St. Augustine's Golf Links was originally designed by Tom Vardon with some holes adjacent to the sea shore. Unfortunately these holes were prone to flooding and after this land was requisitioned for logistical purposes during the First World War, the course was reduced in size and redesigned to fit into the remaining land. Today this has resulted in a compact but very popular golf course that is well maintained and highly manicured. Rated as one of the premier all-year-round courses thanks to the freedraining course, and this means there are no temporary greens or tees throughout the winter. This proud claim is backed by the sheer number of visitors and societies that return time and again to enjoy golf the North Foreland way. The golf course is reasonably flat with tight challenging holes and having six par-threes requires a degree of accuracy to score well. Par for the course is 69 and the standard scratch score is 66 from the white tees and 65 from the yellow tees with an overall length of 5,254 yards. North Foreland is also blessed with a superb 18-hole par-3 golf course. Apart from providing excellent golf and honing the short game on holes that vary in distance from 50 to 140 yards, on a glorious summer day there’s simply no better place to be. With commanding views to the north sea and lush emerald fairways and greens, the Northcliffe course offers a combination of beauty and challenge. The club takes its name from the natural fresh water well to the left of the 17th fairway recorded on maps as St. Augustine's Well. www.northforeland.co.uk www.staugustinesgolfclub.co.uk Broome Park Golf Club Hever Castle Golf Club Established during the reign of Charles I, the Broome Park Estate is a magnificent place to play golf. As its centrepiece it has the Grade I listed Mansion House which was completed in about 1638, and is considered to be one of the finest examples of Carolean architecture in all of England. Refurbished and restored, one of the Mansion House’s most famous owners was Horatio Herbert Kitchener, First Earl Kitchener of Khartoum. Only one mile from Hever Castle’s main entrance is the friendly and welcoming Golf Club. Set in the mature grounds of the Hever Castle Estate, Hever Castle Golf Club has 27 holes of golf that will encourage and inspire all golf enthusiasts. The golf course itself is a superb 18-hole parkland course set within the private 268-acre estate. The course opened in 1981, and was designed by the famous golf course architect Donald Steel. The entire course measures 6587 yards off the championship white tees, has a standard scratch of 72 and par 72. The course is an excellent test for all ages and levels of golfers and the finishing hole is particularly spectacular. The courses have been built to the highest specification and are ideal for experienced golfers and beginners alike. Hever Castle Golf Club provides a range of membership options to suit all lifestyles. Experience the club for yourself by taking a tour of the course and facilities via golf buggy, or visit to play a round. Broome Park Golf Club is easily accessible from the M2/A2 or M20 travel routes and is actually located off the A260. Come along and enjoy the great game in the Garden of England. For more information please contact Steve Clayton on 01732 701004 or email [email protected]. www.broomepark.co.uk www.hever.co.uk 76