Royal St George’s Golf Club, founded in 1887, is celebrated as the first English course to host the Open Championship, a distinction it achieved in 1894. Since then, it has hosted the tournament 15 times, ranking fourth in frequency after St Andrews, Prestwick, and Muirfield. Designed by Dr. William Laidlaw Purves, a passionate Scottish golfer, the course occupies prime links land near St Clement’s Church, blending naturally with its surroundings of wildflowers, dune grasses, and commanding views of Pegwell Bay and the white cliffs of Dover.
Royal patronage was granted in 1902 when the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII, became club captain. The layout of Royal St George’s is unique, eschewing the traditional out-and-back design for a figure-eight configuration, enhancing its variety and challenge.
The course features iconic elements, including thatched-roof shelters, flags bearing St George’s red cross, and the UK’s tallest and deepest bunker at the infamous fourth hole. The par three sixth, or ‘Maiden,’ and the 14th hole, dubbed ‘Suez Canal,’ are renowned for their difficulty and architectural brilliance. Undulating fairways and uneven lies demand precision, making low scores a formidable task. Royal St George’s has ties to notable figures like Ian Fleming, who referenced it as “Royal St Marks” in Goldfinger. Bernard Darwin famously described the club as “My idea of heaven,” a sentiment that reflects its stature as a quintessential and challenging links course.
