This July, the eyes of the golfing world were supposed to be focused on the Kent coastline and the game’s elite doing battle for The Open Championship at Royal St George’s in Sandwich. It was going to be the 18th time The Open had been contested in Kent, but only the 15th time at St George’s. Unfortunately, The R&A was forced to cancel this year’s Open owing to the coronavirus crisis – it will now take place here in 2021 instead. Right next door to Royal St George’s, Prince’s was the venue for The Open Championship of 1932 and the club is due to play host to Final Qualifying for 2021.
In recent years, Prince’s has gone from strength to strength. A huge amount of work and effort has been put in to enhance the golfing experience for members and visitors. All three nine-hole loops have been significantly renovated and improved upon, and luxurious on-site accommodation has been developed to make Prince’s one of the leading play-and-stay venues in the country.
A RICH HISTORY
Golf was first played at Prince’s in 1906 when former Prime Minister AJ Balfour drove in the first ball as Captain. The club had been established with a view to attracting junior, lady and family golfers and it was fitting that the first significant championship hosted at Prince’s was the 1912 English Ladies Open, won by Miss M Gardner. Prince’s remains an inclusive and welcoming club to this day.
Prince’s survived World War I and was a hugely popular venue with the golfing fraternity through the 1920s and ‘30s. In 1932, the club played host to The Open Championship. The event was won by Gene Sarazen. It was The Squire’s only Open triumph and his total of 283 was an Open record, one that wouldn’t be bettered until Bobby Locke returned 279 at Troon in 1950.
This story is from the June 2020 edition of Golf Monthly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 2020 edition of Golf Monthly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Scotland
Home to around 575 clubs, the country is packed with premium links and an inland topography of spectacular extremes
The South East
From the Garden of England in Kent down to the Isle of Wight and up through
BEST GOLF SHOES
There have never been more options when it comes to picking the right golf shoe for your game.
Nick Taylor
The drills and tips the Canadian uses to keep his game sharp could improve your consistency through the bag too
Are the comparisons between Scottie Scheffler and Tiger Woods justified?
With four wins and a runner-up spot in five consecutive starts plus a huge lead in the world rankings, some are starting to talk about the 2024 Masters Champion in almost the same breath as Woods
ACCESS ALL AREAS
Full Swing executive producer Chad Mumm talks about the making of season two, the highlights, the process and the challenges
FORTUNES FAMILY
Ryan Fox finally believes he deserves “to be mentioned in the same breath” as the other sporting icons in his family.
"WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IS NOT SUSTAINABLE"
Rory McIlroy has been a staunch advocate of the PGA Tour since the emergence of LIV Golf.
A PLACE ΤΟ YOURSELF
Jeremy Ellwood discovers the Old Millhouse in Dalkeith to be the perfect away-from-it-all base for exploring the East Lothian coast's many fine links
Border patrol
Andy Wright ventures due east from his Troon base for a stay at Macdonald Hotels' Cardrona resort in the Borders near Peebles