8th May 2025
Prince’s G.C. in Sandwich, Kent, England will stage the 53rd Walker Cup match in 2030.
It will be the first time that the Club has staged the biennial team contest played between Great Britain and Ireland (GB&I) and the United States of America.
The final dates, expected to be in early September, will be confirmed at a later date.
Prince’s has undergone a significant redevelopment programme since 2017, including upgrades to the clubhouse and to the 27 holes on offer. The Shores and Dunes nines make up the championship course.
Prince’s famously staged The Open in 1932 won by Gene Sarazen and has more recently hosted Final Qualifying for The Open between 2018 and 2022. It also hosted The Women’s Amateur Championship in 2023.
Rob McGuirk, General Manager at Prince’s, said, “It’s an absolute privilege to be invited to host the Walker Cup in 2030. To be among the esteemed hosts of what is perhaps the most revered men’s amateur competition in the game is a source of immense pride for everyone associated with Prince’s Golf Club. We have worked closely with The R&A on a number of championships in the past and we look forward to continuing that relationship in the years ahead to ensure a great match is held.”
From a sentimental perspective it is disappointing that the neighbouring Royal St. George’s G.C. hasn’t been selected for 2030, 100 years after Bobby Jones led USA to victory there before commencing his Grand Slam journey. Having last hosted The Open Championship in 2021 I assume its planned return hampered this potential Walker Cup appointment.
In the recently announced 2025 Top 100 Golf Courses GB&I Ranking the three leading Kent links courses were ranked as follows: Royal St. George’s 7th, Royal Cinque Ports 29th and Prince’s 87th.
ME.
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