Dates for your diary – the 149th Open Championship in Kent from the 11-18 July 2021

The golf industry is facing challenging times at present, but enthusiasts of the sport in the Sevenoaks area can start making plans to visit the 149^th Open which is being held at Royal St George’s, Sandwich in 2021 following the cancellation of the Championship in 2020 due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The 17th Hole at Royal St George’s PHOTO: Jason Livy

The Golf in Kent Partnership, which is comprised of some of the finest golf clubs in the county, and Visit Kent has spent the last year gearing up to stage the prestigious major but despite the disappointment of the cancellation, it is keen to look to the future and focus on the positive aspects of hosting The Open next year from 11 to 18 July instead of this July.

“We are of course disappointed about the cancellation of The Open at Royal St George’s this year, but it was the right decision given the current circumstances,” said Tim Checketts, Secretary at Royal St George’s Golf Club, a member of the Golf in Kent Partnership.

“However, we now have an opportunity to build on the huge amount of work already in place, to ensure that The 149th Open at Royal St George’s will be the biggest and best yet and a true celebration of the return of major golf to this country.” 

Kent is recognised as having some of England’s premier golf destinations, with a wide range of good quality courses. The Partnership is encouraging golfers to come, stay, and play in Kent in the run-up to the Championship

“We are determined to use the fact that Kent will now host The 149^th Open in 2021 as a positive and build on the excellent preparation we have undertaken over the past nine months to deliver the very best Open possible in our county next year,” said Deirdre Wells, chief executive of Visit Kent.

There is a golf course close to the 900-year-old Leeds Castle which is one of Kent’s most popular visitor attractions

“We look forward to welcoming golfers from all over the world to enjoy our golf courses and all the other wonderful attractions and activities that Kent has to offer.  The 149^th Open will be an excellent opportunity to support both the clubs and Kent businesses and support them in rebuilding the visitor economy, which is worth nearly £4 billion to the county.”

The county has more recently developed a reputation as a gastronomic destination thanks to the array of local produce such as Dover Sole and Whitstable oysters and its plethora of Michelin-starred restaurants and gastropubs. Kent is also home to Britain’s oldest brewer, Shepherd Neame, and the Wine Garden of England which produces some of the country’s finest wines.

For more on Golf in Kent, go to www.golfinkent.co.uk